Process for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates by utilizing microorganisms

ABSTRACT

A microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate which comprises one or more of monomer units represented by Formula (1),  
                 
 
     where R is at least one selected from the group represented by any one of Formulas (2), (3) and (4);  
                 
 
     in Formula (2), R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO 2 , —CF 3 , —C 2 F 5  and —C 3 F 7 , and q is an integer of 1 to 8;  
     in Formula (3), R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO 2 , —CF 3 , —C 2 F 5  and —C 3 F 7 , and r is an integer of 1 to 8;  
     in Formula (4), R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO 2 , —CF 3 , —C 2 F 5  and —C 3 F 7 , and s is an integer of 1 to 8. The production method is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to novel polyhydroxyalkanoate(PHA), as well as a method of producing such a novel PHA by utilizingmicroorganisms.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] Synthetic polymers derived from petroleum have been used asplastics etc. for a long time. Recently, the treatment of the usedplastics has become one of serious social problems. These syntheticpolymers have advantages of hard-to-decompose have been used in theplace of metal or glass materials. On mass consumption and massdisposal, however, this feature of hard-to-decompose makes themaccumulated in waste-disposal facilities, or when they are burned, itcauses increased carbon dioxide exhaust, and harmful substances such asdioxin and endocrine-disruptors may be generated to cause environmentalpollution.

[0005] On the other hand, polyesters produced by microorganisms(hereinafter referred to as “microbial polyesters”) can be biologicallydegraded to be incorporated in a natural recycling system. Thus theywould not remain in natural environment without causing pollution, incontrast to the numerous usual synthetic polymer compounds. Furthermore,since the biodegradability dispenses with incinerating treatment,microbial polyesters are effective from the standpoint of the preventionof air pollution and global warming, and usable as plastics to maintainthe environment. In addition, their potential as soft materials formedical use has been investigated (Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 5-159, Nos. 6-169980, 6-169988, 6-225921, etc.).

[0006] Heretofore, various bacteria have been reported to produce andaccumulate PHB or copolymers of other hydroxyalkanoic acids in the cells(Handbook of Biodegradable Plastics, ed. by Biodegradable PlasticsSociety, published by N.T.S., p. 178-197 (1995)). Microbial PHA thusobtained is known to have various compositions and structures dependingon the class of microorganisms used, medium composition, cultureconditions, etc. during production, and many studies related to thecontrol of composition and structure of PHA products have been conductedto improve PHA properties.

[0007] For example, Alcaligenes eutropus H16 ATCC No. 17699 and itsmutants can produce copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB) and3-hydroxyvaleric acid (3HV) at a various composition ratio by varyingcarbon sources during culture (Published Japanese Translation of PCTInternational Publication Nos. 6-15604, 7-14352, 8-19227, etc.).

[0008] Japanese Patent No. 2642937 discloses that Pseudomonas oleovoransATCC29347, when given acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons as a carbon source,produces PHA having a monomer unit of 3-hydroxyalkanoate of 6 to 12carbon atoms.

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-74492 discloses themethod comprising contacting a microorganism of Methylobacterium sp.,Paracoccus sp., Alcaligenes sp., or Pseudomonas sp. with a primaryalcohol of 3 to 7 carbon atoms, thereby allowing to produce a copolymerof 3HB and 3HV.

[0010] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 5-93049 and 7-265065disclose that Aeromonas caviae can produce, by using oleic acid andolive oil as carbon sources, a binary copolymer of 3HB and3-hydroxyhexanoic acid (3HHx).

[0011] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-191893 discloses thatComamonas acidovorans IFO13852 can produce, by using gluconic acid and1,4-butanediol as a carbon source, a polyester having monomer units of3HB and 4-hydroxybutyric acid.

[0012] Furthermore, certain microorganisms has been reported to producePHA having various substituents such as groups derived from unsaturatedhydrocarbons, ester group, allyl group, cyano group, nitro group, groupsderived from halogenated hydrocarbon, and epoxide. Thus, there have beenstarted several attempts to improve the properties of microbial PHA byusing such a technique. Examples of microbial polyester having suchsubstituents are described in FEMS Microbiology Letters, 128 (1995)p.219-228, in detail. Makromol. Chem., 191, 1957-1965, 1990,Macromolecules, 24, 5256-5260, 1991, and Chirality, 3, 492-494, 1991report that Pseudomonas oleovorans produces PHA comprising a monomerunit of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (3HPV), and changes in polymerproperties probably due to the presence of the monomer unit of 3HPV.

[0013] As stated above, microbial PHA of various compositions/structurescan be obtained by varying the microorganism, medium composition,culture conditions, etc. for polymer production. Their physicalproperties, however, are still insufficient for plastics. In order tofurther extend the application field, it is important to investigatemore extensively the improvement of properties, and it is, therefore,essential to develop and search PHA made of structurally various monomerunits, methods of producing them, as well as microorganisms capable ofefficiently producing the desired PHA.

[0014] On the other hand, those PHA having introduced substituents inthe side chains as described above, can be expected to be developed as“functional polymer” having useful functions and properties by selectingthe substituent to be introduced according to the desired properties,etc. It is also important to develop and search PHA satisfying bothfunctionality and biodegradability, methods of producing them, as wellas microorganisms capable of efficiently producing desired PHA.

[0015] One example of such PHA having a substituent introduced in sidechains is PHA having phenoxy in side chains.

[0016] For example, Macromol. Chem. Phys., 195, 1655-1672 (1994) reportsthat Pseudomonas oleovorans produces PHA containing units of3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid and 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid,from 11-phenoxyundecanoic acid.

[0017] Macromolecules, 29, 3432-3435 (1996) also reports thatPseudomonas oleovorans can be used to produce PHA containing3-hydroxy-4-phenoxyburyric acid and 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acidunits from 6-phenoxyhexanoic acid, PHA containing3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid and 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acidunits from 8-phenoxyoctanoic acid, and PHA containing3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid and 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acidunits from 11-phenoxyunndecanoic acid. The polymer yield is as follows.

[0018] Furthermore, Can. J. Microbiol., 41, 32-43 (1995) reports thatwhen given octanoic acid and p-cyanophenoxyhexanoic acid orp-nitrophenoxyhexanoic acid as substrates, Pseudomonas oleovoransATCC29347 or Pseudomonas putida KT2442 can produce PHA containing amonomer unit of 3-hydroxy-p-cyanophenoxyhexanoic acid or3-hydroxy-p-nitrophenoxyhexanoic acid.

[0019] Japanese Patent No. 2989175 describes a homopolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-(monofluorophenoxy)pentanoate (3H5(MFP)P) unit or3-hydroxy-5-(difluorophenoxy)pentanoate (3H5(DFP)P) unit, a copolymercontaining at least one of 3H5(MFP)P unit and 3H5(DFP)P unit,Pseudomonas putida which can produce such polymers; and a method ofproducing the above polymers by using a Pseudomonas sp.

[0020] Such productions are conducted by “2-step culture” describedbelow. Culture period: step 1-24 hours; step 2-96 hours.

[0021] Substrates in each step and polymers obtained are as follows.

[0022] (1) Polymer obtained: 3H5(MFP)P homopolymer

[0023] Substrates in step 1: citric acid, yeast extract

[0024] Substrates in step 2: monofluorophenoxyundecanoic acid

[0025] (2) Polymer obtained: 3H5(DFP)P homopolymer

[0026] Substrates in step 1: citric acid, yeast extract

[0027] Substrates in step 2: difluorophenoxyundecanoic acid

[0028] (3) Polymer obtained: 3H5(MFP)P copolymer

[0029] Substrates in step 1: octanoic or nonanoic acid, yeast extract

[0030] Substrates in step 2: monofluorophenoxyundecanoic acid

[0031] (4) Polymer obtained: 3H5(MFP)P homopolymer

[0032] Substrates in step 1: octanoic or nonanoic acid, yeast extract

[0033] Substrates in step 2: difluorophenoxyundecanoic acid

[0034] It describes that the microorganism can assimilate substitutedaliphatic acids of a medium chain length to produce a polymer havingphenoxy group substituted with 1 to 2 fluorine atoms at the end of aside chain, and such a polymer has stereoregularity and water repellencywhile keeping a high melting point and a good processibility.

[0035] It has been reported a PHA containing a cyclohexyl group in itsmonomer unit is expected to exhibit polymer properties differing from aPHA containing an usual aliphatic hydroxyalkanoic acid as a unit, aswell as its production by Pseudomonas oleovorans (Macromolecules, 30,1611-1615 (1997)).

[0036] According to this report, Pseudomonas oleovorans is cultured in amedium containing nonanoic acid (hereinafter referred to as NA), and4-cyclohexylbutyric acid (hereinafter referred to as CHBA) or5-cyclohexylvaleric acid (hereinafter referred to as CHVA) to obtain PHAmade of a cyclohexyl-containing unit and a unit derived from nonanoicacid (each proportion is unknown).

[0037] By varying the ratio of CHBA to NA under the conditions that thetotal concentration of substrates is 20 mM, the results shown in Table 2were obtained. In Table 2, CDW: Cell mass (dry weight) (mg/L); PDW:polymer mass (dry weight) (mg/L); and Yield: PDW/CDW (%).

[0038] In this case, however, the polymer yield per culture (w/v) wasinsufficient, and nonanoic acid—derived aliphatic hydroxyalkanoic acidunits were present in the resultant PHA.

[0039] As described above, to produce PHA having various introducedsubstituents in the side chain, as with the above Pseudomonasoleovorans, an alkanoate having a substituent to be introduced has beenutilized not only as a polymer raw material but also as a carbon sourcefor growth.

[0040] Such a method to utilize an alkanoate having a substituent to beintroduced into the polymer, not only as a raw material for the polymerbut also as a carbon source for growth expects to supply the carbonsource and energy source as the acetyl-CoA formed by β-oxidation of thealkanoate. In such a method, however, acetyl-CoA would not be formed byβ-oxidation unless the substrate has a certain chain length, so thatthere is a serious problem that the alkanoate available as the substratefor PHA is limited. In general, p-oxidation generates a new substrate,of which chain length is shorter by two methylene units at a time, andthey are incorporated as the monomer units of PHA, synthesized PHA isoften a copolymer consisting of monomer units each differing by twomethylene chains in the chain length. In the foregoing report, theproduced polymer is a copolymer consisting of three monomer units, thatis, 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid derived from the substrate8-phenoxyoctanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid and3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid being metabolic by-products. Thus, PHAconsisting of a single monomer unit is hard to obtain by this method.Furthermore, in the method depending on the acetyl-CoA formed byβ-oxidation as the carbon and energy source, there are such problems asslow growth rate of the microorganism, slow synthesis of PHA, and lowyield of PHA.

[0041] Thus, usually the microorganism is grown in a medium containing amedium-length aliphatic acid such as octanoic acid and nonanoic acid,etc. as a carbon source for growth in addition to the alkanoate having asubstituent to be introduced, and then PHA is extracted.

[0042] The PHA produced by the above method, however, contains monomerunits having a substituent to be introduced and monomer units derivedfrom the carbon source for growth (for example, 3-hydroxyoctanoic acidand 3-hydroxynonanoic acid). The polymer of such a medium chain length(mcl) monomer unit is adhesive at ambient temperature, and, when mixedwith the desired PHA, significantly lowers the glass transition point(Tg). Thus, to obtain a polymer being solid at ambient temperature,contamination of mcl-monomer units is undesirable. In addition, thepresence of heterogeneous side chains is known to interfere withintramolecular or intermolecular interactions due to the side chainstructure, and significantly affects crystallinity and orientation. Inorder to improve the polymer properties and endowment of functions, amixture of such mcl-monomer units is a serious problem. One means tosolve this problem is to add a purification step to separate and removesuch “unintended” polymers of mcl-monomer units derived from the carbonsource for growth and to obtain PHA consisting only of a monomer unithaving a specific substituent. Nevertheless, operations becometroublesome and a significant decrease of the yield is inevitable. Amore important problem is the fact that, if the intended monomer unitsform a copolymer with the unintended monomer units, it is very difficultto remove the unintended monomer units only. In particular, when the PHAcontaining monomer units having such groups as the groups derived fromunsaturated hydrocarbons, ester groups, aryl group, cyano group, nitrogroup, groups derived from halogenated hydrocarbons and epoxide as sidechain structure, mcl-monomer units often form a copolymer with theintended monomer unit, so it is very difficult to remove mcl-monomerunits after the PHA synthesis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The present invention can solve the above problems. The object ofthe present invention is to provide a PHA containing monomer units ofvarious structures having substituents useful for device materials,medical materials, etc. in the side chains. Another object of thepresent invention is to provide a method of producing such a PHA byutilizing microorganisms, especially a method of producing PHA withlittle contamination of monomer units and in a high yield. The otherobject of the present invention is to provide novel PHA consisting onlyof the desired monomer units without contamination of unintended monomerunits, as well as a method of producing such a PHA by utilizingmicroorganisms.

[0044] In order to solve the above problems, especially to develop PHAhaving substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, phenyl group andcyclohexyl group in the side chains, being useful as device materials,medical materials, etc., the present inventor have extensively searchedfor novel microorganisms capable of producing and accumulating PHA inthe cell, and a method of producing the desired PHA by utilizing novelmicroorganisms.

[0045] Further, to develop a method of obtaining efficiently the desiredPHA without mixing of unintended monomer units, the present inventorsmade extensive study and found that by culturing the microorganism in amedium supplemented with yeast extract in addition to an alkanoatehaving a desired atomic group, it is possible to produce selectivelyonly the desired PHA without being mixed with unintended monomer unitsor with reduced incorporation of unintended monomer units, thencompleted the present invention.

[0046] Thus, the method of producing novel PHA of the present inventionis characterized by culturing a microorganism in a culture mediumcontaining an alkanoate and yeast extract, which microorganism iscapable of producing the object PHA by utilizing the alkanoate in themedium as a low material. In particular, the method of producing PHA ofthe present invention can be carried out in accordance with theembodiments described below.

[0047] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising one or more of monomer unitsrepresented by Formula (1),

[0048] where R is at least one selected from the group represented byany one of Formulas (2), (3) and (4);

[0049] in Formula (2), R1 is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇, and qis an integer of 1 to 8;

[0050] in Formula (3), R2 is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃. —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇. and ris an integer of 1 to 8;

[0051] in Formula (4), R3 is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇, and sis an integer of 1 to 8;

[0052] provided that following R is not selected:

[0053] when one kind of R is selected:

[0054] R being R1=H and q=2, R being R1=H and q=3 in Formula (2),

[0055] R being R2=halogen and r=2, or R being R2=—CN and r=3 and

[0056] R being R2=—NO₂ and r=3 in Formula (3);

[0057] when two kinds of R are selected:

[0058] a combination of R being R1=H and q=3 and 5 respectively inFormula (2),

[0059] a combination of R being R2=H and r=2 and 4 respectively,

[0060] a combination of R being R2=H and r=2 and 6 respectively, and

[0061] a combination of R being R2=halogen and r=2 and 4 respectively inFormula (3);

[0062] when three kinds of R are selected:

[0063] a combination of R being R1=H and q=3, 5 and 7 respectively inFormula (2),

[0064] a combination of R being R2=H and r=1, 3 and 5 respectively, anda combination of R being R2=H and r=2, 4 and 6 respectively in Formula(3).

[0065] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a process of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising thestep of:

[0066] culturing a microorganism in a culture medium containing a rawmaterial alkanoate and an yeast extract, wherein the microorganismproduces a polyhydroxyalkanoate utilizing the alkanoate.

[0067] The present invention provides a method for producingpolyhydroxyalkanoate, which uses ω-substituted-straight-chain alkanoicacid, of which terminal of a chain is substituted by any one of 6-carbonring atomic group of a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, and a substituted orunsubstituted cyclohexyl group, as the material and also which containscorresponding ω-substituted-3-hydroxy-alkanoic acid as the monomerunits, and also provides microorganisms suitable for selectiveproduction of polyhydroxyalkanoate having 6-carbon ring atomic group inthe terminal of these side chains. Various polyhydroxyalkanoate, ofwhich production by microorganisms becomes first possible according tothe present invention, in an inorganic culture medium containing theyeast extract and the ω-substituted-straight-chain alkanoic acid as thematerial, a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, forexample, is cultured to work on the ω-substituted-straight-chainalkanoic acid as the material allowing an efficient production.Therefore, polyhydroxyalkanoate useful as a functional polymer havingbiodegradability can be expected application thereof to various fieldssuch as a device material and a material for a medical treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068]FIG. 1 is an ¹H-NMR spectrum of PHA collected from the culturedcells of strain P91 in Example A-2.

[0069]FIG. 2 is an NMR spectrum of 5-phenoxy valeric acid obtained inExample B-1.

[0070]FIG. 3A is a total ion chromatogram (TIC) of GC-MS measurement ofa methyl esterified compound of the monomer unit composing PHA obtainedin Example B-2, and

[0071]FIG. 3B is a mass spectrum of a main peak in the TIC.

[0072]FIG. 4 is an NMR spectrum of PHA obtained in Example B-2.

[0073]FIG. 5A is a total ion chromatogram (TIC) of GC-MS measurement ofa methyl esterified compound of the monomer unit composing PHA obtainedin Example B-3, and

[0074]FIG. 5B is a mass spectrum of a main peak in the TIC.

[0075]FIG. 6 is an NMR spectrum of 5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeric acidobtained in Example C-1.

[0076]FIG. 7A is a total ion chromatogram (TIC) of GC-MS measurement ofa methyl esterified compound of the monomer unit composing PHA obtainedin Example C-2, and

[0077]FIG. 7B is a mass spectrum of a main peak in the TIC.

[0078]FIG. 8 is an NMR spectrum of PHA obtained in Example C-2.

[0079]FIG. 9A is a total ion chromatogram (TIC) of GC-MS measurement ofa methyl esterified compound of the monomer unit composing PHA obtainedin Example C-3, and

[0080]FIG. 9B is a mass spectrum of a main peak in the TIC.

[0081]FIG. 10 is an ¹H-NMR spectrum of poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valericacid produced by strain H45 in Example D-5.

[0082]FIG. 11 is a ¹³C-NMR spectrum of poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valericacid produced by strain H45 in Example D-5.

[0083]FIG. 12 is a DNA sequence of a 16s rRNA coding region ofPseudomonas jessenii P161; FERM BP-7376.

[0084]FIG. 13 is an NMR spectrum of FPVA biosynthesized as alkanoate asthe material in Example E-1.

[0085]FIG. 14 is a ¹H-NMR spectrum of PHA obtained by the productionmethod of the present invention using FPVA as the material in ExampleE-5.

[0086]FIG. 15 is a ¹³C-NMR spectrum of PHA obtained by in Example E-5using FPVA as the material.

[0087]FIG. 16 is a ¹H-NMR spectrum of PHA consisting of3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexyl butyric acid unit purified in Example F-3.

[0088]FIG. 17 is a ¹³C-NMR spectrum of PHA consisting of3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexyl butyric acid unit purified in Example F-3.

[0089]FIG. 18 is a mass spectrum of a 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample G-1.

[0090]FIG. 19 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid(3HPxHp) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample G-1.

[0091]FIG. 20 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample G-2.

[0092]FIG. 21 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid(3HPxHp) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample G-2.

[0093]FIG. 22 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid(3HPxB) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample H-1.

[0094]FIG. 23 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxy hexanoic acid(3HPxHx) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample H-1.

[0095]FIG. 24 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxy octanoic acid(3HPxO) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample H-1.

[0096]FIG. 25 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid(3HPxB) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample H-2.

[0097]FIG. 26 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxy hexanoic acid(3HPxHx) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample H-2.

[0098]FIG. 27 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxy octanoic acid(3HPxO) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample H-2.

[0099]FIG. 28 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample I-1.

[0100]FIG. 29 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid(3HPxHp) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample I-1.

[0101]FIG. 30 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxy nonanoic acid(3HPxN) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample I-1.

[0102]FIG. 31 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample I-2.

[0103]FIG. 32 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid(3HPxHp) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample I-2.

[0104]FIG. 33 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxy nonanoic acid(3HPxN) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample I-2.

[0105]FIG. 34 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-6-phenyl hexanoic acid(3HPHx) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample J-1.

[0106]FIG. 35 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-phenyl butyric acid(3HPB) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced in ExampleJ-2.

[0107]FIG. 36 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-6-phenyl hexanoic acid(3HPHx) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample J-2.

[0108]FIG. 37 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid(3HPV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced in ExampleK-1.

[0109]FIG. 38 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample K-1.

[0110]FIG. 39 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid(3HPV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced in ExampleK-2.

[0111]FIG. 40 is a mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS of the polymer produced inExample K-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0112] The present invention relates to a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate(PHA) and a method of producing PHA.

[0113] The first embodiment in the method of producing PHA of thepresent invention is a production method characterized by

[0114] incubating a microorganism in a medium containing yeast extractand an alkanoate of Formula (12)

[0115] wherein R is at least one or more groups selected from grouprepresented by any of the following general Formula (2), (3), or (4)),

[0116] extracting a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from cells of themicroorganism, and

[0117] obtaining the PHA having a monomer unit of Formula (13),

[0118] wherein R′ is at least one or more groups selected from a groupselected as R in Formula (12);

[0119] a group having the corresponding R1, wherein q=q₀−2, q=q₀−4, orq=q₀−6, provided that the group selected as R is of Formula (2), whereinq=q₀;

[0120] a group having the corresponding R2, wherein r=r₀−2, r=r₀−4, orr=r₀−6, provided that the group selected as R is of Formula (3), whereinr=r₀; and

[0121] a group having the corresponding R3, wherein s=s₀−2, s=s₀−4, ors=s₀−6, provided that the group selected as R is of Formula (4), whereins=s₀,

[0122] provided that q₀−2, r₀−2, or s₀−2, q₀−4, r₀−4, or s₀−4, q₀−6,r₀−6, or s₀−6 can be only the integer of one or more),

[0123] wherein R1 is a group selected from hydrogen atom (H), halogenatom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, —C₃F₇, and q is selected from the integerof 1 to 8;

[0124] in Formula (3), R2 is a group selected from hydrogen atom (H),halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, —C₃F₇, and r is selected from theinteger of 1 to 8; and

[0125] in Formula (4), R3 is a group selected from hydrogen atom (H),halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, —C₃F₇, and s is selected from theinteger of 1 to 8). In particular, it is the production methodcharacterized by obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of a monomerunit represented by the above general Formula (13).

[0126] In this method, PHA containing the corresponding monomer unit, aswell as, in some cases, an accompanying secondary monomer unit havingshorter carbon chain can be produced by using a single kind of alkanoateof Formula (12) as a raw material. As mentioned above, a plurality ofalkanoates of Formula (12) can also be used as a raw material, and atthat time, it is preferred to use an appropriate number of alkanoates,in consideration of function and property requisite for polymer to beproduced. In general, the above aim can be expected to fully achieve byusing up to about five different alkanoates of Formula (12) as a rawmaterial. Furthermore, to finely control functions and properties, fiveor more of different raw materials can be utilized. For example, thetotal of more than five different raw materials can be used whichconsist of up to about three different alkanoates selected each fromalkanoate group represented by the above general Formula (2), (3), and(4).

[0127] The substituent R1 on benzene ring in the general Formula (2) andthe substituent R2 on benzene ring in the general Formula (3) can beselected from any of ortho-position (2- or 6-position), meta-position(3- or 5-position), or para-position (4-position). The resultantpolyhydroxyalkanoate will contain a monomer unit having thecorresponding substituted benzene ring. Which isomer is selected as araw material is properly determined depending on intended functions andproperties. When differences in the above functions and properties isnot a critical problem, an alkanoate having substituent at para-position(4-position) on benzene ring can be more advantageously used similar toan unsubstituted alkanoate with respect to yield and readiness to beincorporated into polymer. Similarly, the location of substituent R3 oncyclohexyl ring of the general Formula (4) can be selected from any of1-, 2-(or 6-), 3-(or 5-), and 4-position, and both cis- andtrans-configuration can be selected. The resultant polyhydroxyalkanoatewill contain monomer unit having the corresponding substitutedcyclohexyl ring. Which isomer is selected as a raw material is properlydetermined depending on intended functions and properties. Whendifferences in the above functions and properties is not a criticalproblem, an alkanoate having substituents at 4-position on cyclohexylring can be more advantageously used similar to an unsubstitutedalkanoate with respect to yield and readiness to be incorporated intopolymer. Polyhydroxyalkanoate produced by microorganisms, which haschiral center at 3-position carbon atom of monomer unit, is generally apolymer consisting only of R-body, that is, an isotactic polymer. As aresult, PHA produced by the present method becomes a polymer havingbiodegradability.

[0128] According to the method of the present invention, microorganismscan be cultured by two steps comprising the initial culture in themedium containing alkanoate of Formula (12) and yeast extract, andsubsequent culture in the medium containing the alkanoate and restrictednitrogen source. Microorganism can also be cultured in one step in themedium containing alkanoate of Formula (12) and yeast extract.Furthermore, the microorganism utilized is preferably selected fromthose belonging to Pseudomonas sp. As examples of advantageouslyavailable strains belonging to Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas cichorii YN2(FERM BP-7375), Pseudomonas cichorii H45 (FERM BP-7374), Pseudomonasputida P91 (FERM BP-7373), and Pseudomonas jessenii P161 (FERM BP-7376)can be shown, and it is more preferred to select any of the above fourstrains.

[0129] Preferred mode of the invention in the first embodiment of themethod of producing polyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention willbe individually and more definitely described below.

[0130] The present inventors have succeeded in obtaining microorganismcapable of producing poly-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (PHPxB)homopolymer consisting of a monomer unit of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyricacid (3HPxB) of Formula (5):

[0131] when cultured in a medium containing yeast extract and4-phenoxybutyric acid (PxBA) of Formula (14).

[0132] Thus, one mode included in the above first embodiment accordingto the method of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates of the presentinvention is a method characterized by having a process of incubating amicroorganism capable of producing PHPxB homopolymer consisting ofrepeats units of 3HPxB monomer unit of Formula (5) by utilizing PxBA inthe medium containing PxBA of Formula (14) and yeast extract.

[0133] There have been no reports of the production ofpolyhydroxyalkanoate containing a monomer unit of 3HPxB bymicroorganisms by using PxBA as a substrate, as well as the productionof polyhydroxyalkanoate of PHPxB homopolymer by microorganisms. PHPxBobtained by the above method, therefore, is new, and is encompassed inthe invention of novel polyhydroxyalkanoates, which the presentinvention provides.

[0134] The present inventors have also succeeded in obtainingmicroorganism capable of producing a homopolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV) monomer unit of Formula (6):

[0135] when cultured in a medium containing yeast extract and5-phenoxyvaleric acid (PxVA) of Formula (15).

[0136] Thus, another one mode included in the above first embodiment isa method characterized by having a process of incubating a microorganismcapable of producing poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (PHPxV)homopolymer consisting of repeats units of 3HPxV monomer unit of Formula(6) by utilizing PxVA in a medium containing PxVA of Formula (15) andyeast extract.

[0137] There have been no reports of the production ofpolyhydroxyalkanoates containing a monomer unit of 3HPxV bymicroorganisms by using PxVA as a substrate, as well as the productionof polyhydroxyalkanoates of PHPxV homopolymer by microorganisms. PHPxVobtained by the above method, therefore, is new, and is encompassed inthe invention of novel polyhydroxyalkanoates provided by the presentinvention.

[0138] The present inventors have also succeeded in obtainingmicroorganism capable of producing a homopolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-(fluorophenoxy)valeric acid (3HFPxV) monomer unit of Formula(16):

[0139] when cultured in the medium containing yeast extract and5-(4-fluorophenoxy)valeric acid (FPxVA) of Formula (17).

[0140] Thus, another mode included in the above first embodiment is amethod characterized by having a process of incubating a microorganismcapable of producing poly-3-hydroxy-5-(fluorophenoxy)valeric acid(PHFPxV) homopolymer consisting of repeats units of 3HFPxV monomer unitof Formula (16) by utilizing FPxVA in a medium containing FPxVA ofFormula (17) and yeast extract.

[0141] The present inventors have also succeeded in obtainingmicroorganism capable of producing a copolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV) and 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoicacid (3HPxHp) of Formula (6) and (22), respectively:

[0142] when cultured in a medium containing yeast extract7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (PxHpA) of Formula (23).

[0143] Thus, another mode included in the above first embodiment is amethod characterized by having a process to culture a microorganismcapable of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer consisting of3HPxV and 3HPxHp monomer units of Formula (6) and (22), respectively, byutilizing PxHpA in the medium containing PxHpA of Formula (23) and yeastextract.

[0144] The present inventors have also succeeded in obtaining amicroorganism capable of producing a copolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (3HPxB), 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoicacid (3HPxHx), and 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO) of Formula(5), (24), and (25), respectively:

[0145] when cultured in a medium containing yeast extract and8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (PxOA) of Formula (26).

[0146] Thus, another mode included in the above first embodiment is themethod characterized by having a process of incubating a microorganismcapable of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer consisting of3HPxB, 3HPxHx, and 3HPxO monomer units of Formula (5), (24), and (25),respectively, by utilizing PxOA in the medium containing PxOA of Formula(26) and yeast extract.

[0147] A microorganism capable of producing a copolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valeric acid (3HPxV), 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxy heptanoicacid (3HPxHp), and 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxy nonanoic acid (3HPxN) units,which are expressed by Formula, was successfully obtained.

[0148] One more mode included in the above described first embodiment isa method having a step of culturing of microorganisms to produce apolyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer consisting of 3HPxV, 3HPxHp, and 3HPxNmonomer units expressed by the above described Formulae (6), (22), and(27) using PxUDA in a culture medium containing PxUDA expressed by theabove described Formula (28) and yeast extract.

[0149] Furthermore, in addition to the methods described in the abovedescribed series of specific forms in detail, by using an alkanoate, ofFormula (12), in which a side chain having a phenoxy group is replacedwith a desired group as a material of the monomer component, PHA havingvarious corresponding side chains can be selectively produced usingmicroorganisms. A production method for polyhydroxyalkanoate usingalkanoate of Formula (12) as the material and having the monomer unitcomposition shown by Formula (13) is also included in the abovedescribed first embodiment by the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention.

[0150] (R is at least one or more groups selected from groups expressedby Formula (3));

[0151] (R′ is the group selected in the above described Formula (12) asR)

[0152] and in the case where expressed by the following Formula (3) andis the group of r=r₀, the group selected as the R has a corresponding R2and at least one or more group selected from groups of r=r₀−2, q=r₀−4,or r=r₀−6.)

[0153] r₀−2, r₀−4, or r₀−6 can be an integer value of 1 or more;

[0154] (R2 is the group selected from a hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom,—CN, —NO₂, —CF₃′-C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and r is selected from integers of 1 to8.)

[0155] In many cases, when PHA is produced by containing one kind ofalkanoate expressed by Formula (12) as the material and a correspondingmonomer unit, in some cases, a by-produced monomer unit of which carbonchain accompanied is reduced. On the other hand, as described above, foralkanoate as the material expressed by Formula (12), a plurality ofkinds can be used for culture. In consideration of a function and aphysical property necessary for a polymer produced, it is preferable touse a proper number of kinds. In general, by using 3 kinds, in maximum,of alkanoate expressed by Formula (12) as the material, it is expectedthat the above described purpose can be sufficiently achieved. Inaddition, in the purpose to control finely functionality and thephysical property, many kinds of materials more than three can be used.

[0156] For the material, any one of a substitution position of R2 on abenzene ring Formula (3) can be selected from an ortho position(position 2 or position 6), meta position (position 3 or position 5), orpara position (position 4). Polyhydroxyalkanoate yielded is thatcontaining the monomer unit having a corresponding substituted phenoxygroup. An isomer to be selected as the material is determinedappropriately according to objective functionality and physicalproperty. In the case where a difference in the above describedfunctionality and physical property are not become the problem,normally, that having the substitution group in the para position(position 4) on the benzene ring can be more preferably used, in a pointof yield or easy uptake into the polymer, comparably to that notsubstituted. In polyhydroxyalkanoate produced by such microorganisms, acarbon atom of the position 3 of the monomer unit has the chiral in acenter and in general, is the polymer consisting of only R-body andhence, isotactic polymer. Consequently, PHA produced by such method isthe polymer having biodegradability.

[0157] In addition, the inventors successfully obtained themicroorganism capable of producing a homopolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (3HPV) monomer unit expressed by Formula(9), when cultured in a culture medium containing 5-phenylvaleric acid(PVA), expressed by Formula (18), and yeast extract.

[0158] In other words, an alternative mode included in the abovedescribed first embodiment is a method characterized by having a step ofculturing a microorganism which can produce apoly-3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (PHPV) homopolymer consisting ofrepeated units of 3HPV monomer units expressed by the above describedFormula (9), using PVA in a culture medium containing PVA of Formula(18) and yeast extract.

[0159] The inventors also successfully obtained the microorganismcapable of producing the homopolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid (3HFPV) monomer unit expressedby Formula (7) when cultured in a culture medium containing5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid (FPVA) of Formula (19), and yeastextract.

[0160] In other words, an alternative mode included in the abovedescribed first embodiment is a method characterized by having a step ofcultivation of a microorganism which can produce apoly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid (PHFPV) homopolymerconsisting of repeated units of 3HFPV monomer units of Formula (7),using FPVA in a culture medium containing FPVA of Formula (19) and yeastextract.

[0161] So far, there is no report about production ofpolyhydroxyalkanoate, in which 3HFPV as the monomer unit, using FPVA asa substrate by microorganisms. Also, there is no report about productionof polyhydroxyalkanoate being the homopolymer of PHFPV bymicroorganisms. Consequently, PHFPV yielded by the above describedmethod is a new product and included in the invention a newpolyhydroxyalkanoate provided by the present invention.

[0162] The inventors also successfully obtained the microorganismcapable of producing the copolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (3HPB) and 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoicacid (3HPHx) units expressed by Formulas (10) and (11) when cultured ina culture medium containing 6-phenylhexanoic acid (PHxA), expressed byFormula (21), and yeast extract,

[0163] In other words, an alternative mode included in the abovedescribed first embodiment is a method characterized by having a step ofcultivation of a microorganism to produce a polyhydroxyalkanoatecopolymer consisting of 3HPB and 3HPHx monomer units expressed by theabove described Formula (10) and (11), using PHxA in a culture mediumcontaining PHxA, expressed by the above described Formula (21), and theyeast extract.

[0164] So far, there is no report about production ofpolyhydroxyalkanoate containing 3HPB and 3HPHx monomer units, using PHxAas a substrate by microorganisms. Also, there is no report aboutproduction of polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of 3HPB and 3HPHx monomerunits by microorganisms. Consequently, polyhydroxyalkanoate consistingof 3HPB and 3HPHx monomer units and yielded by the above describedmethod is a new product and included in the invention a newpolyhydroxyalkanoate provided by the present invention.

[0165] Furthermore, in addition to method described in the abovedescribed series of specific forms in detail, by using an alkanoate, ofFormula (12), in which a side chain having a phenyl group is substitutedto a desired group as a material of the monomer component, PHA havingvarious corresponding side chains can be selectively produced usingmicroorganisms. A production method for polyhydroxyalkanoate usingalkanoate of Formula (12) as the material and having the monomer unitcomposition shown by Formula (13) is also included in the abovedescribed first embodiment by the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention.

[0166] (In Formula (12), R is at least one or more groups selected fromgroups expressed by the following general Formula (2).)

[0167] (In Formula (13), R′ is the group selected as R in the abovedescribed Formula (12),

[0168] and if the group selected as R is

[0169] expressed by Formula (2) and is the group of q=q₀, has thecorresponding R1 and at least one or more group selected from q=q₀−2,q=q₀−4, or q=q₀−6. q₀−2, q₀−4, or q₀−6 can be the integer value of 1 ormore.)

[0170] (Of Formula (2), the R1 is the group selected from the hydrogenatom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and q isselected from integers of 1 to 8.)

[0171] In many cases, when PHA is produced by containing one kind ofalkanoate expressed by Formula (12) as the material and thecorresponding monomer unit, in some cases, the by-product monomer unitof which carbon chain accompanied is reduced. On the other hand, asdescribed above, for alkanoate as the material expressed by Formula(12), the plurality of kinds can be used for culture. In considerationof the function and the physical property necessary for the polymerproduced, it is preferable to use the proper number of kinds. Ingeneral, by using 3 kinds, in maximum, of alkanoate expressed by Formula(12) as the material, it is expected that the above described purposecan be sufficiently achieved. In addition, in the purpose to controlfinely the functionality and the physical property, many kinds ofmaterials more than three can be used.

[0172] For the material, any one of the substitution position of R1 onthe benzene ring of Formula (2) can be selected from the ortho position(position 2 or position 6), meta position (position 3 or position 5), orpara position (position 4). Polyhydroxyalkanoate yielded is thatcontaining the monomer unit having the corresponding substituted phenylgroup. The isomer to be selected as the material is determinedappropriately according to objective functionality and physicalproperty. In the case where the difference in the above describedfunctionality and physical property does not become the problem,normally, that having the substitution group in the para position(position 4) on the benzene ring can be more preferably used, in thepoint of yield or easy uptake into the polymer, comparably to that notsubstituted. In polyhydroxyalkanoate produced by such microorganisms,the carbon atom of the position 3 of the monomer unit has the chiral inthe center and in general, is the polymer consisting of only R-body, andhence, the isotactic polymer. Consequently, PHA produced by such methodis the polymer having biodegradability.

[0173] In addition, the inventors found that

[0174] when by using 4-cyclohexyl butyric acid (CHBA) as the substrate,microorganisms are cultured in the culture medium containing CHBA andyeast extract to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate to accumulate in cells;the monomer unit of polyhydroxyalkanoate contains 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid (3HCHB) in the high ratio and showed the sufficiently highyield and for polyhydroxyalkanoate containing 3HCHB yielded, found thatthe PHCHB homopolymer consisting of the repeated unit of 3HCHB monomerunits can be separated by carrying out purification treatment.

[0175] In other words, an alternative mode included in the abovedescribed first embodiment is

[0176] the method of producing poly-3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexyl butyric acid(PHCHB) consisting of 3HCHB monomer units and

[0177] the method of producing PHCHB homopolymer consisting of 3HCHBmonomer units expressed by Formula (8) and characterized by having thestep of cultivation of microorganisms in the culture medium containingCHBA expressed by Formula (20) and the yeast extract.

[0178] So far, there is no report about production ofpolyhydroxyalkanoate being the homopolymer of PHCHB by microorganisms.Consequently, PHCHB yielded by the above described method is a newproduct and included in the invention of a new polyhydroxyalkanoateprovided by the present invention.

[0179] Furthermore, in addition to method described in the abovedescribed series of specific forms in detail,

[0180] by using an alkanoate, of Formula (12), in which a side chainhaving a cyclohexyl group is substituted to the desired group as amaterial of the monomer component, PHA having various corresponding sidechains can be selectively produced using microorganisms. A productionmethod for polyhydroxyalkanoate using alkanoate of Formula (12) as thematerial and having the monomer unit composition shown by Formula (13)is also included in the above described first embodiment by theproduction method for polyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention.

[0181] (In Formula (12), R is at least one or more groups selected fromgroups expressed by the following general Formula (4).)

[0182] (In Formula (13), R′ is the group selected as R in the abovedescribed Formula (12),

[0183] and if the group selected as R is

[0184] expressed by Formula (4) and is the group of s=s₀, it has thecorresponding R3 and at least one or more group selected from s=s₀−2,s=s₀−4, or s=s₀−6. s₀−2, s₀−4, or s₀−6 can be the integer value of 1 ormore.)

[0185] (Of Formula (4), the R3 is the group selected from the hydrogenatom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and s isselected from integers of 1 to 8.)

[0186] In many cases, when PHA is produced by containing one kind ofalkanoate expressed by Formula (12) as the material and thecorresponding monomer unit, in some cases, the by-produced monomer unitof which carbon chain accompanied is reduced. On the other hand, asdescribed above, for alkanoate as the material expressed by Formula(12), the plurality of kinds can be used for culture. In considerationof the function and the physical property necessary for the polymerproduced, it is preferable to use the proper number of kinds. Ingeneral, by using 3 kinds, in maximum, of alkanoate expressed by Formula(12) as the material, it is expected that the above described purposecan be sufficiently achieved. In addition, in the purpose to controlfinely the functionality and the physical property, many kinds ofmaterials more than three can be used.

[0187] For the material, any one of the substitution positions of R3 onthe cyclohexyl ring of Formula (4) can be selected from position 1,position 2 (or position 6), position 3 (or position 5), and position 4.In addition, either cis configuration or trans configuration can beselected. Polyhydroxyalkanoate yielded is that containing the monomerunit having the corresponding substituted cyclohexyl ring. The isomer tobe selected as the material is determined appropriately according toobjective functionality and physical property. In the case where thedifference in the above described functionality and physical propertydoes not become the problem, normally, that having the substitutiongroup in the 4 on the cyclohexyl ring can be more preferably used, inthe point of yield or easy uptake into the polymer, comparably to thatnot substituted. In polyhydroxyalkanoate produced by suchmicroorganisms, the carbon atom of the position 3 of the monomer unithas the chiral in the center and in general, is the polymer consistingof only R-body and hence, the isotactic polymer. Consequently, PHAproduced by such method is the polymer having biodegradability.

[0188] In addition, the inventors successfully obtained a microorganismcapable of producing copolymer consisting of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valericacid (3HPxV) monomer unit expressed by Formula (6) and3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid (HPV) monomer unit expressed by Formula(9) when cultured in the culture medium containing yeast extract and5-phenoxy valeric acid (PxVA) expressed by Formula (15),

[0189] and

[0190] 5-phenyl valeric acid (PVA) expressed by Formula

[0191] In other words, an alternative mode included in the abovedescribed first embodiment is the method of producing apoly-(3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valeric acid/3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid)copolymer consisting of repeated units of the 3HPxV monomer unit and the3HPV monomer units expressed by the above described Formula (6) and (9),using PxVA and PVA and characterized by having the step of cultivationof microorganisms in the culture medium containing PxVA and PVAexpressed by the above described Formula (15), (18), and the yeastextract.

[0192] So far, there is no report about production ofpolyhydroxyalkanoate containing 3HPxV and 3HPV monomer units, using PxVAand PVA as a substrate by microorganisms. Also, there is no report aboutproduction of polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of 3HPxV and 3HPV monomerunits by microorganisms. Consequently, polyhydroxyalkanoate consistingof 3HPxV and 3HPV monomer units and yielded by the above describedmethod is a new product and included in the invention the newpolyhydroxyalkanoate provided by the present invention.

[0193] Furthermore, in addition to method described in the abovedescribed specific forms in detail,

[0194] by using a plurality of kinds of alkanoate, as the material,selected from the following alkanoate of Formula (12),polyhydroxyalkanoate containing a plurality of kinds of monomer unitshaving various corresponding side chains can be selectively producedusing microorganisms. In other words, the first embodiment of theproduction method for polyhydroxyalkanoate of the present inventionincludes the specific form of production method for polyhydroxyalkanoatecontaining a plurality of kinds of monomer units having variouscorresponding side chains by using a plurality of kinds of alkanoate ofas the material.

[0195] In other words, the production method is characterized in that amicroorganism is cultured in a culture medium containing yeast extractand the alkanoate expressed by Formula (12):

[0196] (In Formula (12), R is at least one or more group selected fromgroups expressed by any one of the following general Formula (2),general Formula (3), or general Formula (4)), and the microorganism isextracted to obtain polyhydroxyalkanoate expressed by Formula (13)having at least one of the monomer units represented by Formula (13):

[0197] (In Formula (13), R1 is the group selected as R in the abovedescribed Formula (12),

[0198] and at least one or more groups selected from the groups

[0199] having the corresponding R1 and being q=q₀−2, q=q₀−4, or q=q₀−6,if the group selected as R is expressed by Formula (2) and is the groupof q=q₀, having the corresponding R2 and being r=r₀−2, r=r₀−4, orr=r₀−6, if the group selected as R is expressed by Formula (3) and isthe group of r=r₀, and

[0200] having the corresponding R3 and being s=s₀−2, s=s₀−4, or s=s₀−6,if the group selected as R is expressed by Formula (4) and is the groupof s=s₀.

[0201] q₀−2, r₀−2, or s₀−2, or q₀−4, r₀−4, or s₀−4, or q₀−6, r₀−6, ors₀−6, can be the integer value of 1 or more.)

[0202] (Of Formula (2), the R1 is the group selected from the hydrogenatom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and q isselected from integers of 1 to 8; of Formula (3) the R2 is the groupselected from the hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃,—C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and r is selected from integers of 1 to 8; of Formula(4) the R3 is the group selected from the hydrogen atom (H), halogenatom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and s is selected from integersof 1 to 8.) Specifically, the production method is characterized inobtaining polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of monomer units holding sidechains corresponding to at least one alkanoate as the material. In otherwords, the production method for polyhydroxyalkanoate having monomerunits characterized by having at least one or more side chain structure,in which side chain structure of monomer units corresponds to eachalkanoate, particularly, consisting of each monomer units derived fromeach alkanoate, is that in which a plurality of kinds of alkanoate isused as the material, as monomer units, which can be taken inpolyhydroxyalkanoate, according to a plurality of kinds of alkanoateexpressed by Formula (12) selected.

[0203] In this method, by using one kind of the alkanoate as thematerial expressed by Formula (12), PHA containing the correspondingmonomer unit and in some cases, the by-produced monomer unit of, whichcarbon chain accompanied is reduced, can produced. On the other hand, asdescribed above, for the alkanoate as the material expressed by Formula(12), the plurality of kinds can be used for culture. In considerationof the function and the physical property necessary for the polymerproduced, it is preferable to use the proper number of kinds. Ingeneral, by using about 5 kinds, in maximum, of alkanoate expressed byFormula (12) as the material, it is expected that the above describedpurpose can be sufficiently achieved. In addition, in the purpose tocontrol finely the functionality and the physical property, many kindsof materials more than five can be used. For example, it is possible tocontain all three of the above described general Formula (2), generalFormula (3), or general Formula (4), select three about kinds inmaximum, and sum them to use more than 5 kinds of materials.

[0204] The substitution group R1 on the benzene ring in the generalFormula (2) and the substitution group R2 on the benzene ring in thegeneral Formula (3) can be selected from any one of the ortho position(position 2 or position 6), meta position (position 3 or position 5),and para position (position 4). Polyhydroxyalkanoate yielded is thatcontaining the monomer unit having a corresponding substituted benzenering. An isomer to be selected as the material is determinedappropriately according to objective functionality and physicalproperty. In the case where a difference in the above describedfunctionality and physical property are not become the problem,normally, that having the substitution group in the para position(position 4) on the benzene ring can be more preferably used, in thepoint of yield or easy uptake into the polymer, comparably to that notsubstituted. Similarly, the substitution group R3 on the cyclohexyl ringin the general Formula (4) can be selected from any one of the position1, position 2 (or position 6), position 3 (or position 5), and position4. In addition, either cis configuration or trans configuration can beselected. Polyhydroxyalkanoate yielded is that containing the monomerunit having the corresponding substituted cyclohexyl ring. The isomer tobe selected as the material is determined appropriately according toobjective functionality and physical property. In the case where adifference in the above described functionality and physical propertyare not become the problem, normally, that having the substitution groupin the position 4 on the cyclohexyl ring can be more preferably used, inthe point of yield or easy uptake into the polymer, comparably to thatnot substituted. In polyhydroxyalkanoate produced by suchmicroorganisms, the carbon atom of the position 3 of the monomer unithas the chiral in a center and in general, is the polymer consisting ofonly R-body and hence, isotactic polymer. Consequently, PHA produced bysuch method is the polymer having biodegradability.

[0205] As described in detail showing representative specific forms inthe production method for polyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention,polyhydroxyalkanoate having various corresponding side chains as themonomer components can be selectively produced by using microorganismsby using a derivative, which was made by substituting the side chain ofalkanoate by the desired group, as the material and therefore, thepresent invention also provides an invention of polyhydroxyalkanoate,obtained by such method, having a monomer composition expressed by thefollowing general Formula (1). In other words, a newpolyhydroxyalkanoate according to the present invention ispolyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of monomer units expressed by Formula(1).

[0206] (In Formula (1), R is at least one or more group selected fromgroups expressed by any one of the following general Formula (2),general Formula (3), or general Formula (4)).

[0207] (Of Formula (2), R1 is the group selected from the hydrogen atom(H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and q is selectedfrom integers of 1 to 8; of Formula (3), the R2 is the group selectedfrom the hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and—C₃F₇ and r is selected from integers of 1 to 8; of Formula (4) the R3is the group selected from the hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN,—NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅, and —C₃F₇ and s is selected from integers of 1 to 8.

[0208] Here, as R in the above described general Formula (1),

[0209] if one kind of group is selected,

[0210] in Formula (2), the group of q=2 in R1=H and the group of q=3 inR1=H

[0211] in Formula (3), the group of r=2 in R2=halogen atom, the group ofr=3 in R2=—CN, and the group of r=3 in R2=—NO₂

[0212] is eliminated from alternatives,

[0213] if two kind of group is selected,

[0214] in Formula (2), a combination of two groups of q=3 and 5 in R1=H,

[0215] in Formula (3), the combination of two groups of r=1 and 3 inR2=H, the combination of two groups of r=2 and 4 in R2=H, thecombination of two groups of r=2 and 6 in R2=H, and the combination oftwo groups of r=2 and 4 in R2=halogen atom

[0216] is eliminated from alternatives,

[0217] if three kind of group is selected,

[0218] in Formula (2), the combination of three groups of q=3, 5, and 7in R1=H,

[0219] in Formula (3), the combination of three groups of r=1, 3, and 5in R2=H and the combination of three groups of r=2, 4, and 6 in R2=H

[0220] is eliminated from alternatives.)

[0221] Polyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention, as describedabove, can contain one kind of monomer unit expressed by the generalFormula (1) and also contain a plurality of kinds. In consideration of afunction and a physical property necessary for the objective polymer, itis preferable to use a proper number of kinds of monomer units. Ingeneral, by selecting 10 kinds of monomer units, in total, expressed byFormula (1), it is expected that the above described purpose can besufficiently achieved. In addition, in the purpose to control finelyfunctionality and the physical property, many kinds of monomer unitsmore than 10 can be contained in configuration.

[0222] For example, when polyhydroxyalkanoate is produced by containinga plurality of kinds of monomer units expressed by such general Formula(1), in addition to monomer units corresponding to alkanoate as thematerial, in some cases, a by-produced monomer unit of which carbonchain accompanied is reduced. Therefore, the present invention includethat in which even if alkanoate itself is about 5 kinds as the material,each yields monomer unit of two kinds or more including the by-producedmonomer unit and as the results, PHA contains monomer units of 10 kindsor more in total. In addition, for example, the present inventioninclude that in which contains all of three kinds of the above describedgeneral Formula (2), general Formula (3), and general Formula (4), ofwhich about 3 kinds in maximum are selected each, and becomes about 10kinds of alkanoate as the material in total to yield PHA containingmonomer units of 10 kinds or more containing a little numbers of theby-produced monomer unit.

[0223] Any one of the substitution position of R1 on a benzene ringFormula (2) and the substitution position of R2 on a benzene ringFormula (3) can be selected from the ortho position (position 2 orposition 6), meta position (position 3 or position 5), and para position(position 4). Polyhydroxyalkanoate yielded is that containing themonomer unit having a corresponding substituted benzene group. An isomerto be selected as the material is determined appropriately according toobjective functionality and physical property. In the case where adifference in the above described functionality and physical propertyare not become the problem, normally, that having the substitution groupin the para position (position 4) on the benzene ring can be morepreferably used, in a point of yield or easy uptake into the polymer,comparably to that not substituted. Similarly, for the substitutionposition of R3 on the cyclohexyl ring of the general Formula (4), anyone of position 1; position 2, (or, position 6), position 3 (or,position 5), and position 4 can be selected and in addition, either cisconfiguration or trans configuration can be selected. Inpolyhydroxyalkanoate produced is that containing the monomer unit havingthe corresponding substituted cyclohexyl ring. The isomer to be selectedis determined appropriately according to objective functionality andphysical property. In the case where a difference in the above describedfunctionality and physical property are not become the problem,normally, that having the substitution group in the position 4 on thecyclohexyl ring can be more preferably used, in a point of yield or easyuptake into the polymer, comparably to that not substituted. Inpolyhydroxyalkanoate produced by such microorganisms, the carbon atom ofthe position 3 of the monomer unit has the chiral in a center and ingeneral, is the polymer consisting of only R-body and hence, isotacticpolymer. Consequently, PHA producible by such method usingmicroorganisms is the polymer having biodegradability.

[0224] The production method for PHA of the present invention ischaracterized in that in cultivation of microorganisms, by adding theyeast extract to alkanoate of Formula (12) as the material in theculture medium, content ratio of the objective monomer unit in PHA isincreased very high or PHA consists of the objective monomer unit onlyin PHA produced by microorganisms to accumulate. An effect to enhanceprioritization of a specified monomer unit is realized by adding onlyyeast extract to the culture medium as a carbon source other thanalkanoate used as the material of PHA.

[0225] As an example of use of the yeast extract in the culture mediumin production of PHA by microorganisms, the method described on theJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.5-49487 and usingmicroorganisms belonging to the genus Rhodobacter is exemplified.However, this conventional method is the method for production of commonPHB and PHV by using hydroxyalkanoic acid having no substitution groupas the monomer unit. It has been known that a biosynthetic path of theobjective PHA of the present invention is an independent path from thebiosynthetic path to produce PHB and PHV. In the Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 5-49487, there is no mention about the effectof the yeast extract in the PHA biosynthetic path of the object of thepresent invention. In addition, it has been evidently described aboutthe effect of the yeast extract that for PHB and PHV commonly producedby microorganisms, addition of the yeast extract shows the effect toincrease in PHA accumulation simply in cells and the yeast extract isnot added for cell proliferation. The present invention carries outproduction and accumulation of PHA as well as proliferation bycoexistence of alkanoate of Formula (12) with the yeast extract andthus, the yeast extract expresses a quite different effect. In addition,prioritization, being the effect of the present invention, of thespecified monomer unit was never mentioned and therefore, in thecomposition of PHA produced by microorganisms, the effect, found in thepresent invention, of prioritization of the specified monomer unithaving phenoxy group, phenyl group, and cyclohexyl group as thesubstitution group was not shown.

[0226] As an example using the yeast extract for PHA production bymicroorganisms, the method, described on the above described JapanesePatent No. 2989175, using Pseudomonas putida is exemplified. Theproduction method for PHA disclosed in this patent uses the two-stepcultivation and it is disclosed that PHA accumulation is carried out inonly the cultivation of a second step under limitation of a nutrientsource other than carbon source. In this point, this method quitediffers in configuration and effect from the method of the presentinvention, in which cultivation is one step only in the culture mediumcontaining alkanoate of Formula (12) and the yeast extract to performbiosynthesis and accumulation of the desired PHA. The effect of theyeast extract in Japanese Patent No. 2989175 simply aims proliferationof microorganisms used for cultivation of the second step in the firststep cultivation in using the two-step cultivation and it has beenevidently described that the first step cultivation is carried out undera nutrient rich condition. Here, the substrate of PHA does not coexistwith the first step cultivation. The effect of the yeast extract in thetwo-step cultivation of the present invention is that doing productionand accumulation of PHA as well as cell proliferation in the first stepcultivation by coexisting of alkanoate of Formula (12) and the yeastextract in the first step cultivation, and the effect expressed by theyeast extract in the first step cultivation is quite different. Inaddition, in Japanese Patent No. 2989175, any one of citric acid,octanoic acid, nonanoic acid coexists as the carbon source in the firststep cultivation and hence, it also differs in configuration from thepresent invention, in which alkanoate of Formula (12) and the yeastextract coexist.

[0227] As an example of a report of a microorganism, which can producePHA, containing 3HPxB in the present invention as the monomer unit, toaccumulated in the cell, there is the method using Pseudomonasoleovorans described on Macromolecules 29, 3432-3435, 1996. However, themethod using Pseudomonas oleovorans uses only 8-phenoxyoctanoic (PxOA)as the substrate and therefore, it has an essential difference in whichit cannot produce acetyl-Co A by p-oxidation, for example, of thepresent invention and it quite differs from the method using PxBA as thesubstrate together with the yeast extract. For PHA biosynthesized, thecopolymer, which consists of three kinds of monomers of3-hydroxy-8-phenoxy octanoic acid derived from PxOA as the substrate,3-hydroxy-6-phenoxy hexanoic acid being the by-product derived from ametabolite, and 3HPxB, is produced. In contrast, in the presentinvention, use of the yeast extract allows production of PHA containingonly 3HPxB derived from PxBA as the monomer unit containing the phenoxygroup. PHA itself to be produced differs clearly between the abovedescribed reported and the present invention. In addition, there is noreport of the production of PHA, containing 3HPxB as the monomer unit,by microorganisms using PxBA as the substrate. In addition, there is noreport of the production of PHA, containing only 3HPxB as the monomerunit containing the phenoxy group, by microorganisms using PxBA as thesubstrate.

[0228] The production method of the present invention will be describedbelow in detail.

[0229] Microorganisms used for the present invention may be anymicroorganisms, which is microorganisms capable of production of PHAfrom the alkanoate to accumulate using the alkanoate of Formula (12) asthe substrate. According to the inventors' study, bacteria ofPseudomonas is good and among them, we found that Pseudomonas cichoriiYN2, FERM BP-7375; Pseudomonas cichorii H45, FERM BP-7374; Pseudomonasputida P91, FERM BP-7373; and Pseudomonas jessenii P161 FERM BP-7376 arepreferable microorganisms. Also using cells other than these strains, bycultivation using the alkanoate as the substrate, by carrying outscreening of bacteria belonging to, for example, the genus Pseudomonas,microorganisms usable for the production method for PHA, of the presentinvention, can be obtained. For example, as bacteria belonging to thegenus Pseudomonas, using Pseudomonas oleovorans is possible. In additionto microorganisms belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, use ofmicroorganisms, which belongs to the genera Aeromonas, Comamonas, andBurkholderia and, by using the alkanoate as the material (substrate),produce PHA containing corresponding 3-hydroxyalkanoate as the monomerunit, is possible. However, in consideration of productivity, the abovedescribed 4 strains can be recommended as the most preferable strains.

[0230] The details of strains YN2, H45, P91, and P161 will be listedbelow.

[0231] <Bacteriological Properties of Strain YN2>

[0232] Cultivation temp.: 30° C.

[0233] Morphology:

[0234] Cell form: rod, 0.8 μm×(1.5 to 2.0) μm

[0235] Gram staining: negative

[0236] Spore formation: negative

[0237] Mobility: motile

[0238] Form of colony: circular, entire smooth margin, low convex,smooth surface, glossy, translucent

[0239] Physiological properties:

[0240] Catalase: positive

[0241] Oxidase: positive

[0242] O/F test: non-fermentable

[0243] Nitrate reduction: negative

[0244] Indole production: positive

[0245] Glucose acidification: negative

[0246] Arginine dihydrolase: negative

[0247] Urease: negative

[0248] Esculin hydrolysis: negative

[0249] Gelatin hydrolysis: negative

[0250] β-galactosidase: negative

[0251] Substrate assimilation:

[0252] Glucose: positive

[0253] L-arabinose: positive

[0254] D-mannose: negative

[0255] D-mannitol: negative

[0256] N-acetyl-D-glucosamine: negative

[0257] Maltose: negative

[0258] Potassium gluconate: positive

[0259] n-capric acid: positive

[0260] Adipic acid: negative

[0261] dl-malic acid: positive

[0262] Sodium citrate: positive

[0263] Phenyl acetate: positive

[0264] Production of fluorescence on King's B agar: positive

[0265] Growth in 4% NaCl: positive (weak)

[0266] Accumulation of poly-p-hydroxy butyric acid: negative (determinedby staining with Sudan Black a colony grown on a nutrient agar)

[0267] Hydrolysis of Tween 80: positive

[0268] <Bacteriological Properties of Strain H45>

[0269] Morphological characteristics:

[0270] Cell shape and size: rod, 0.8 μm×(1.0 to 1.2) μm

[0271] Cell polymorphism: absent

[0272] Mobility: positive

[0273] Spore formation: negative

[0274] Gram staining: negative

[0275] Form of colony: circular, entire margin smooth, low convex,smooth surface, glossy, and cream color

[0276] Physiological properties:

[0277] Catalase: positive

[0278] Oxidase: positive

[0279] O/F test: oxidative

[0280] Nitrate reduction: negative

[0281] Indole production: negative

[0282] Glucose acidification: negative

[0283] Arginine dihydrolase: negative

[0284] Urease: negative

[0285] Esculin hydrolysis: negative

[0286] Gelatin hydrolysis: negative

[0287] β-galactosidase: negative

[0288] Production of fluorescence on King's B agar: positive:

[0289] Growth in 4% NaCl: negative

[0290] Accumulation of poly-p-hydroxy butyric acid: negative

[0291] Substrate assimilation:

[0292] Glucose: positive

[0293] L-arabinose: negative

[0294] D-mannose: positive

[0295] D-mannitol: positive

[0296] N-acetyl-D-glucosamine: positive

[0297] Maltose: negative

[0298] Potassium gluconate: positive

[0299] n-capric acid: positive

[0300] Adipic acid: negative

[0301] dl-malic acid: positive

[0302] Sodium citrate: positive

[0303] Phenyl acetate: positive

[0304] <Bacteriological Properties of Strain P91>

[0305] Morphological characteristics:

[0306] Cell shape and size: rod, 0.6 μm×1.5 μm

[0307] Cell polymorphism: absent

[0308] Mobility: positive

[0309] Spore formation: negative

[0310] Gram staining: negative

[0311] Form of colony: circular, entire margin smooth, low convex,smooth surface, glossy, creamy color

[0312] Physiological properties:

[0313] Catalase: positive

[0314] Oxidase: positive

[0315] O/F test: oxidative

[0316] Nitrate reduction: negative

[0317] Indole production: negative

[0318] Glucose acidification: negative

[0319] Arginine dihydrolase: positive

[0320] Urease: negative

[0321] Esculin hydrolysis: negative

[0322] Gelatin hydrolysis: negative

[0323] β-galactosidase: negative

[0324] Production of fluorescence on King's B agar: positive:

[0325] Substrate assimilation:

[0326] Glucose: positive

[0327] L-arabinose: negative

[0328] D-mannose: negative

[0329] D-mannitol: negative

[0330] N-acetyl-D-glucosamine: negative

[0331] Maltose: negative

[0332] Potassium gluconate: positive

[0333] n-capric acid: positive

[0334] Adipic acid: negative

[0335] dl-malic acid: positive

[0336] Sodium citrate: positive

[0337] Phenyl acetate: positive

[0338] <Bacteriological Properties of Strain P161>

[0339] Morphological characteristics:

[0340] Cell shape and size: coccus, diameter 0.6 μm or bacillus 0.6μm×1.5 to 2.0 μm

[0341] Cell polymorphism: elongation

[0342] Mobility: positive

[0343] Spore formation: negative

[0344] Gram staining: negative

[0345] Form of colony: circular, entire margin smooth, low convex,smooth surface, and light yellow

[0346] Physiological properties:

[0347] Catalase: positive

[0348] Oxidase: positive

[0349] O/F test: oxidative

[0350] Nitrate reduction: positive

[0351] Indole production: negative

[0352] Glucose acidification: negative

[0353] Arginine dihydrolase: positive

[0354] Urease: negative

[0355] Esculin hydrolysis: negative

[0356] Gelatin hydrolysis: negative

[0357] β-galactosidase: negative

[0358] Production of fluorescence on King's B agar: positive

[0359] Substrate assimilation:

[0360] Glucose: positive

[0361] L-arabinose: positive

[0362] D-mannose: positive

[0363] D-mannitol: positive

[0364] N-acetyl-D-glucosamine: positive

[0365] Maltose: negative

[0366] Potassium gluconate: positive

[0367] n-capric acid: positive

[0368] Adipic acid: negative

[0369] dl-malic acid: positive

[0370] Sodium citrate: positive

[0371] Phenyl acetate: positive

[0372] From the above described bacteriological properties, according toidentification based on the Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology,Vol. 1 (1984) and Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 9th Ed.(1994), strains YN2 and H45 are identified to belong to Pseudomonascichorii and strain P91 to Pseudomonas putida, respectively. Therefore,we gave names these strains as Pseudomonas cichorii YN2, Pseudomonascichorii H45, and Pseudomonas putida P91.

[0373] On the other hand, though strain P161 was identified as to belongto the genus Pseudomonas, taxonomic identification was impossible on thebasis of bacteriological properties. Then, in order to attemptidentification based on genetic criteria, the DNA sequence, as shown inthe FIG. 12, of 16s rRNA of P 161 was determined (SEQ ID NO:1) to testthe homology with the DNA sequences of 16s rRNA of known microorganismsof genus Pseudomonas. As the result, a very high homology was foundbetween sequences of the strain P161 and Pseudomonas jessenii. Inaddition, a high similarity was found between bacteriological propertiesof Pseudomonas jessenii, described on System. Appl. Microbiol.20:137-149 (1997) and System. Appl. Microbiol. 22:45-58 (1999), andbacteriological properties of the strain P161. From the above describedresults, the strain P161 can be justifiably identified as Pseudomonasjessenii and hence, we named the strain P161 as Pseudomonas jesseniiP161.

[0374] The strains YN2, H45, P91 and P161 are deposited in NationalInstitute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of IndustrialScience and Technology, the Japanese Ministry of International Trade andIndustry by receiving identification code of FERM BP-7375, FERM BP-7374,FERM BP-7373, and FERM BP-7376, respectively.

[0375] By culturing these microorganisms using a material forintroducing the desired monomer unit and a culture medium containing analkanoate of the general Formula (12) and yeast extract, the objectivePHA can be produced.

[0376] For normal cultivation microorganisms used for the productionmethod for PHA of the present invention, for example, cultivation forpreparation of a preservation of cell strain and keeping of cell numberand active condition, excluding that influencing badly to growth andsurvival of microorganisms, any kinds of culture medium, for example, ageneral culture medium and an synthetic culture medium to which thenutrient source has been added, can be used. A cultivation conditionsuch as temperature, aeration, and stirring is properly adjusted inaccordance with the microorganism used.

[0377] On the other hand, in the case where production and accumulationof PHA is carried out by microorganisms, as the culture medium for PHAproduction, an inorganic culture medium containing at least alkanoate ofthe corresponding general Formula (12) can be used. It is the featurethat in this case, as carbon or energy source other than alkanoate asthe material of PHA, only the yeast extract is added.

[0378] As the inorganic culture medium used for the above describedculture method, any one containing necessary components, such as aphosphor source (for example, phosphate salt) and nitrogen source (forexample, ammonium salt and nitrate salt), for proliferation ofmicroorganisms can be used. For example, as a representative inorganicculture medium, can be exemplified by MSB medium, E medium (J. Biol.Chem. 218: 97-106 (1956)), and M9 medium.

[0379] The composition of the M9 culture medium used in Examples of thepresent invention is as follows. Na₂HPO₄: 6.2 g KH₂PO₄: 3.0 g NaCl: 0.5g NH₄Cl: 1.0 g

[0380] As the cultivation condition, shaking culture and stirringculture under 15 to 40° C., preferably 20 to 35° C., and aerobiccondition are exemplified.

[0381] For cultivation steps, any method, used for normalmicroorganisms, such as batch system, fluidized batch system,semi-continuous culture, continuous culture, and reactor type can beused. A multi-step system by connecting a plurality of these steps maybe utilized.

[0382] For example, as the method including the two steps of culturesteps, in the first step, as the carbon source for cell proliferation,employing the inorganic culture medium containing about 0.1 wt % to 1.0wt % of the yeast extract and about 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % of alkanoateof Formula (12), cultivation is conducted from the late stage of thelogarithmic growth period to the point of a standing state period and inthe second step, cells after completion of cultivation in the first stepare collected by a centrifugation followed by a further cultivation inthe inorganic culture medium containing about 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % ofalkanoate of Formula (12) as the material and lacking any nitrogensource and after completion of cultivation, cells are collected toextract desired PHA.

[0383] There is the method in which cultivation is conducted in theinorganic culture medium to which about 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt % of theyeast extract and about 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % of alkanoate of Formula(12) and at the point from the late stage of the logarithmic growthperiod to a standing state period, cells are collected to extractdesired PHA.

[0384] In this case, a concentration of the yeast extract to be added tothe culture medium is properly chosen in accordance with the kind ofalkanoate of Formula (12), species and genus of the microorganism, adensity of cells, or culture method. Normally, it is preferable tochoose from a range from about 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt % of content ratio inthe culture medium in order to add it. On the other hand, for the yeastextract, any one of commercialized yeast extract generally used forcultivation of microorganisms can be preferably used. In addition, inreplacement to the yeast extract, that prepared by pulverizing alyophilized yeast product, which naturally contains the components ofthe yeast extract, can be also used. On the other hand, theconcentration of alkanoate of Formula (12) as the material is properlychosen in accordance with species and genus of the microorganism, adensity of cells, or culture method. Normally, it is preferable tochoose from a range from about 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % of content ratio inthe culture medium in order to add it.

[0385] In the case where any one of the strains YN2, H45, P91 and P161previously described are used, in replacing to the yeast extract, amiddle chain fatty acid of C₆ to C₁₂ (for example, octanoic acid,nonanoic acid, and the like), for example, is used as the carbon sourcefor cell proliferation, PHA yielded is that in which the monomer unitderived from the middle chain fatty acid, which has been added, ismixed. Specifically, the case employing the method is exemplified, inwhich employing the inorganic culture medium, in which as the carbonsource for cell proliferation, the middle chain fatty acid such asoctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, and the like are added and also alkanoateof Formula (12) is added as the material, cultivation is conducted fromthe late stage of the logarithmic growth period to the point of astanding state period, cells are collected by centrifugation and then,the middle chain fatty acid and alkanoate of Formula (12) are added tocarry out further cultivation in the inorganic culture medium lackingthe nitrogen source. Or, the case employing the method is exemplified,in which the concentration of the nitrogen source is limited to{fraction (1/10)} in the inorganic culture medium, cultivation iscarried out in the culture medium to which the middle chain fatty acidand alkanoate of Formula (12) are added, cells are collected in theperiod from the late stage of the logarithmic growth period to the pointof a standing state period to extract the desired PHA. In the case wherethese methods, in which the middle chain fatty acid is added to theculture medium as the carbon source for cell proliferation, is applied,PHA yielded is becomes PHA, to which the monomer unit, derived from themiddle chain fatty acid is added as the carbon source for cellproliferation, has been mixed.

[0386] In contrast, in the present invention, as described above, bycultivation of the above described microorganisms in the culture mediumcontaining the yeast extract, alkanoate of Formula (12), and no othercarbon source, the desired PHA, which contains a little amount of or noamount of any unnecessary monomer unit other than the monomer unitderived from the objective alkanoate of Formula (12), is produced andaccumulated.

[0387] Collection of PHA from cells in the method according to thepresent invention is most conveniently carried out by extraction usingsuch organic solvent as chloroform normally used. However, in anenvironment, in which the organic solvent is difficultly used, themethod to collect PHA by removing cell components other than PHA bytreatment with such surfactant as SDS, treatment with such enzyme aslysozyme, and treatment with such reagent as EDTA, sodium hypochlorite,and ammonium can be used.

[0388] The cultivation of microorganisms, production of PHA bymicroorganisms and accumulation in cells, and collection of PHA fromcells are not restricted to the above described methods.

[0389] For example, and microorganisms used for production method ofPHA, according to the present invention, microorganisms, other than theabove described 4 bacterial strains, having productivity of PHAproduction, according to the present invention and similar to that ofthese 4 bacterial strains, can be used.

[0390] By using the above described methods, PHA having repeated unitsexpressed by Formula (1) can be yielded. It is preferable that a numberaverage molecular weight of this PHA is at least 10000 or more and arange of 10000 to 200000 is more preferable. In other words, to getstably a desired characteristic as a polymer, specifically, it ispreferable that the PHA has repetition number to make the number averagemolecular weight to at least about 10000 to make characteristics, suchas a glass transition temperature, softening point, melting point,crystallinity, and orientation which are designated by a structure ofthe monomer unit composing the monomer, to a specified range. On theother hand, for processing and the like, in consideration of convenienceof processing such as dissolving operation, the number average molecularweight is preferably under about 200000. Usually, the range from 10000to 100000 is more preferable. The number average molecular weight of PHAyielded by the production method according to the present invention is10000 or more and about 20000 or more and is within the range expectablesufficiently of a stable expression of a physical property of the abovedescribed polymer.

EXAMPLES

[0391] Specific example will be presented below and the presentinvention will be explained in more detail. These specific examples areexamples of the best mode according to the present invention. However,the present invention is not restricted to the following specificexamples.

[0392] A:

[0393] An example, in which the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate according to the present invention is applied tothe production of polyhydroxyalkanoate: poly-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyricacid (PHPxB) consisting of the monomer unit, which is derived from3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid (3HPxB) expressed by Formula (5) using4-phenoxy butyric acid (PxBA) of Formula (14) as the material, will beshown.

Example A-1

[0394] The strain P 91 was inoculated in a 200 ml of the M9 culturemedium containing the yeast extract of 0.5% and PxBA of 0.1% andsubjected to shaking-cultivation at 30° C. and 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, cells were collected by centrifugation, suspended again in a 200ml of the M9 culture medium containing a 0.1% PxBA and lacking thenitrogen source (NH₄Cl), and subjected to the shaking-cultivation at 30°C. and 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, cells were collected bycentrifugation, washed with cold methanol once, and subjected tofreeze-dry.

[0395] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in chloroform of 100 ml andPHA was extracted by stirring at 60° C. for 20 hours. An extracted fluidwas filtered using a membrane filter with a pore size of 0.45 μmfollowed by concentration by a rotary evaporator and then, concentratedfluid was precipitated again in cold methanol and precipitation only wascollected and dried in vacuo to yield PHA. PHA yielded was subjected tomethanolysis by a routine method followed by analysis by a gaschromatography mass spectrometry apparatus (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) and a methyl esterified product of the PHA monomer unit wasidentified. On the other hand, the molecular weight of this PHA wasmeasured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC; Toso, HLC-8020, column:Polymer Laboratory, PLgel-MIXED-C (5 μm), solvent: chloroform,polystyrene converted molecular weight.)

[0396] Table 3 shows the result of identification and an averagemolecular weight. It is known that PHA yielded contains only monomerunit derived from 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid expressed by Formula(5) as the monomer unit and is a poly-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid.

Example A-2

[0397] The strain P 91 was inoculated in a 200 ml of the M9 culturemedium containing the yeast extract of 0.5% and PxBA of 0.2% andsubjected to shaking-cultivation at 30° C. and 125 strokes/min. After 48hours, cells were collected by centrifugation, washed with cold methanolonce, and subjected to freeze-drying.

[0398] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in chloroform of 100 ml andPHA was extracted by stirring at 60° C. for 20 hours. An extracted fluidwas filtered using a membrane filter with a pore size of 0.45 μmfollowed by concentration by a rotary evaporator and then, concentratedfluid was precipitated again in cold methanol and precipitation only wascollected and dried in vacuo to yield PHA. PHA yielded was subjected tomethanolysis by a routine method followed by analysis by a gaschromatography mass spectrometry apparatus (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) and a methyl esterified product of the PHA monomer unit wasidentified. Table 4 shows the result of identification. It is known thatPHA yielded contains only monomer unit derived from 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid expressed by Formula (5) as the monomer unit and is apoly-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid.

Example A-3

[0399] PHA collected from cultured cells of the strain P 91 was analyzedby using a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus (FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400)under the following conditions.

[0400] Nuclear Species for Measurement: 1H, Solvent Used: HeavyChloroform (Containing TMS)

[0401]FIG. 1 shows the result of measurement and a Table 5 shows theresult of analysis (attribute) of each signal. Table 5 shows the resultof 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid described below. From the result,PHA contains only monomer unit derived from 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyricacid expressed by Formula (5) and is confirmed that it ispoly-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid.

[0402] B:

[0403] The example, in which the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate according to the present invention is applied tothe production of polyhydroxyalkanoate: poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valericacid (PHPxV) consisting of the monomer unit, which is derived from3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valeric acid (HPxVA) expressed by Formula (6) using5-phenoxy valeric acid (PxVA) of Formula (15) as the material, will beshown.

Example B-1 Synthesis of PxVA

[0404] Dehydrated acetone of 240 ml was put in a 3-necked round-bottomflask, potassium iodide (0.06 mol), potassium carbonate (0.11 mol), andphenol (0.07 mol) were added to stir sufficiently. In this solution,5-bromo valeric acid ethyl ester (0.06 mol) was dropped in a nitrogenatmosphere and refluxed at 60±5° C. to react for 24 hours. Aftercompletion of the reaction, a reaction solution was exsiccated tocondensation using an evaporator, and dissolved again in methylenechloride, and water was added to the solution to separate and an organiclayer was dehydrated by using magnesium sulfate anhydride followed byexsiccation for condensation using the evaporator. Hot methanol wasadded to a dried matter (reactant) yielded to dissolve and cooled slowlyto precipitate again, resulting in a yield of 5-phenoxy valeric acidethyl ester (PxVA). At this point, the yield ratio of this ester to5-bromo valeric acid ethyl ester was 72 mol %.

[0405] Reactant (ester) yielded was dissolved in ethanol water (9:1(v/v)) to make 5 wt %, potassium hydroxide of 10 times mol was added toreact at 0 to 4° C. for 4 hours to carry out hydrolysis of the ester.This reaction solution was added to 0.1 mol hydrochloric acid aqueoussolution of 10 times volume and then, precipitation was collected byfiltration. The precipitation (reactant) collected was dried under areduced pressure under a room temperature for 36 hours. The dried matteryielded was dissolved in a small volume of hot methanol, the solutionwas gradually cooled to precipitate again, and the precipitation wasdried under a reduced pressure under the room temperature for 24 hoursresulting in yield of 5-phenoxy valeric acid, the objective compound.The yield ratio of this objective compound to 5-bromo valeric acid ethylester was 53 mol %.

[0406] The analysis of the compound yielded was conducted by the nuclearmagnetic resonance apparatus (NMR) under the following conditions.

[0407] <Instruments Used>

[0408] FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400

[0409]¹H resonance frequency: 400 MHZ

[0410] <Condition of Measurement>

[0411] Nuclear species for measurement: 1H

[0412] Solvent used: CDCl₃

[0413] Reference: sealed in a capillary tube TMS/CDCl₃

[0414] Temp. for measurement: room temp.

[0415]FIG. 2 shows a chart of the spectrum and Table 6 shows the resultof identification.

[0416] From the result, synthesis of the desired PxVA was confirmed.

Example B-2 Production of PHPxV Homopolymer by Strain P91

[0417] The strain P 91 was inoculated in a 200 ml of the M9 culturemedium containing the yeast extract (DIFCO made) of 0.5 wt % and PxVA of0.1 wt % and subjected to shaking-cultivation at 30° C. and 125strokes/min. After 24 hours, cells were collected by centrifugation,suspended again in 200 ml of the M9 culture medium containing 0.1% PxVAand lacking any nitrogen source (NH₄Cl), and further subjected to theshaking cultivation at 30° C. and 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, cellswere collected by centrifugation, washed with cold methanol once, andsubjected to freeze-drying and weighing.

[0418] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in chloroform of 100 ml andPHA was extracted by stirring at 60° C. for 20 hours. The extractedfluid was filtered using a membrane filter with the pore size of 0.45 μmfollowed by concentration by the rotary evaporator and then,concentrated fluid was precipitated again in cold methanol andprecipitation only was collected and dried in vacuo to yield PHA andweigh. Table 7 shows the yields of cells and the polymer.

[0419] A composition of PHA yielded was analyzed according to thefollowing steps. PHA sample of 5 mg was put in an egg-shaped flask of 25ml volume, methanol of 2 ml containing chloroform of 2 ml and sulfuricacid of 3% (v/v) was added to reflux at 100° C. for 3.5 hours, and waterwas added to separate, and then, the organic layer was analyzed by thegas chromatography mass spectrometry apparatus (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050,DB-WAXETR (J & W Co. made), EI method) and a methyl esterified productof the PHA monomer unit was identified. As the result, there was asingle main peak. From the mass spectrum thereof, it was known as methylesterified compound of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valeric acid. In addition,other small components had no relation with the monomer unit of PHA.FIGS. 3A and 3B show the total ion chromatogram (TIC) of GC-MS and themass spectrum of the main peak.

[0420] The polymer yielded was subjected to NMR analysis under thefollowing condition.

[0421] <Instruments Used>

[0422] FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400

[0423]¹H resonance frequency: 400 MHz

[0424] <Condition of Measurement>

[0425] Nuclear species for measurement: 1H

[0426] Solvent used: CDCl₃

[0427] Reference: sealed in a capillary tube TMS/CDCl₃

[0428] Temp. for measurement: room temp.

[0429]FIG. 4 shows the chart of the spectrum and Table 8 shows theresult of identification.

[0430] In addition, the molecular weight of the PHA yielded was measuredby gel permeation chromatography (GPC; Toso, HLC-8020, column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel-MIXED-C (5 μm), solvent: chloroform, polystyreneconversion). The result was Mn=70000 and Mw=121000.

[0431] As the above described result, according to the presentinvention, the homopolymer of poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valeric acidusing PxVA as the material and production method thereof were shown.

Example B-3 Production of PHPxV Homopolymer by the Strain H45

[0432] The strain H45 was inoculated in a 200 ml of the M9 culturemedium containing the yeast extract (DIFCO made) of 0.5 wt % and PxVA of0.1 wt % and subjected to shaking-cultivation at 30° C. and 125strokes/min. After 24 hours, cells were collected by centrifugation,washed with cold methanol once, and subjected to freeze-drying andweighing.

[0433] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in chloroform of 100 ml andPHA was extracted by stirring at 60° C. for 20 hours. The extractedfluid was filtered using a membrane filter with the pore size of 0.45 μmfollowed by concentration by the rotary evaporator and then,concentrated fluid was precipitated again in cold methanol andprecipitation only was collected and dried in vacuo to yield PHA andweigh. Table 9 shows the yields of cells and the polymer.

[0434] The composition of PHA yielded was analyzed according to thefollowing steps. PHA sample of 5 mg was put in the egg-shaped flask of25 ml volume, methanol of 2 ml containing chloroform of 2 ml andsulfuric acid of 3% (v/v) was added to reflux at 100° C. for 3.5 hours,and water was added to separate, and then, the organic layer wasanalyzed by the gas chromatography mass spectrometry apparatus (GC-MS,Shimadzu QP-5050, DB-WAXETR (J & W Co. made), EI method) and the methylesterified product of the PHA monomer unit was identified. As theresult, there was a single main peak. From the mass spectrum thereof, itwas known as methyl esterified compound of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valericacid. In addition, other small components had no relation with themonomer unit of PHA. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the total ion chromatogram(TIC) of GC-MS and the mass spectrum of the main peak.

[0435] In addition, the molecular weight of the PHA yielded was measuredby gel permeation chromatography (GPC; Toso, HLC-8020, column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel-MIXED-C (5 μm), solvent: chloroform, polystyreneconversion.) The result was Mn=64000 and Mw=116000.

[0436] As the above described result, according to the presentinvention, the homopolymer of poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy valeric acidusing PxVA as the material and production method thereof were shown.

[0437] C:

[0438] The example, in which the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate according to the present invention is applied tothe production of polyhydroxyalkanoate:poly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeric acid (PHFPxV) consisting ofthe monomer unit, which is derived from 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy)valeric acid (HFPxVA) expressed by Formula (16) using5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeric acid (FPxVA) of Formula (17) as thematerial, will be shown.

Example C-1 Synthesis of FPxVA

[0439] Sodium iodide (0.06 mol), potassium carbonate (0.11 mol), and4-fluorophenol (0.07 mol) were added to 240 ml of dehydrated acetone ina three-neck round-bottom flask and the mixture was stirred fully. Tothe solution was dripped 5-bromovaleric acid ethyl ester (0.06 mol) in anitrogen atmosphere and the mixture was refluxed at 60±5° C. and allowedto react for 24 hours. After the completion of reaction, the reactantsolution was concentrated to dryness using an evaporator. The residuewas dissolved in methyl chloride again and water added, followed byseparation. The separated organic solvent layer was dehydrated withanhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to dryness using anevaporator to obtain the reactant.

[0440] Hot water was added to dissolve the obtained reactant and thesolution gradually cooled to precipitate 5-(4-fluorophennoxy) valericacid ethyl ester again. Here, the yield rate of the compound to 5-bromovaleric acid ethyl ester was 68 mol %.

[0441] The obtained reactant (ester) was dissolved in ethanol-water (9:1(v/v)) to make a 5 wt % solution, 10 times the mol of potassiumhydroxide added, and the mixture allowed to react at 0 to 4° C. for 4hours to hydrolyze the ester.

[0442] The reactant solution was added in 10 times the volume of 0.1 Mhydrochloric acid and the precipitate collected by filtration. Thecollected precipitate (the reactant) was dried under decreased pressureat room temperature for 36 hours. The dried reactant was dissolved in asmall amount of hot ethanol and the solution gradually cooled forreprecipitation. The precipitate was dried under decreased pressure atroom temperature for 24 hours to obtain the goal compound5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeric acid expressed as Equation (17). The yieldrate of this compound to 5-bromo valeric acid ethyl ester was 49 mol %.

[0443] The obtained compound was analyzed using NMR under the followingconditions.

[0444] <Instrument>

[0445] FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400

[0446]¹H resonance frequency: 400 MHZ

[0447] <Measurement Conditions>

[0448] Nuclide: ¹H

[0449] Solvent: CDCl₃

[0450] Reference: TMS/CDCl₃ sealed into a capillary

[0451] Temperature: Room temperature

[0452]FIG. 6 shows the ¹H-NMR spectrum chart and Table 10 indicates theresults of identification.

[0453] From the above-mentioned results, it was confirmed that the goalFPxVA was synthesized.

Example C-2 Production of PHFPxV Homopolymer Using Strain P91

[0454] The strain P91 was inoculated in 200 ml of M9 medium containing0.5 wt % yeast extract (DIFCO) and 0.1 wt % FPxVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation and suspended again in 200 ml ofM9 medium containing 0.1 wt % FPxVA without a nitrogen source (NH₄Cl),followed by shake culture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, lyophilized, and weighed.

[0455] The lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHA was weighed. Table 11 shows the yields of the bacterial cell andpolymer.

[0456] The obtained PHA was analyzed for composition as follows: 5 mg ofthe PHA sample was put in a 25-ml eggplant-type flask, 2 ml ofchloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing 3% (v/v) sulfuric acid added,the mixture refluxed at 100° C. for 3.5 hours, and water added forseparation. After separation, the organic solvent layer was analyzedusing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050,column: DB-WAXETR (J&W Co.), EI method) to identify the methyl ester ofPHA monomer unit. Consequently, only one main peak was shown andidentified as the methyl ester of 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valericacid by mass spectrometry. The other trace components were unrelated tothe PHA monomer unit. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the TCI and mass spectrum ofthe methyl ester of 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeric acid.

[0457] The molecular weight of the obtained PHA was determined using gelpermeation chromatography (GPC; Toso HLC-8020, column: PolymerLaboratory PLgel MIXED-C (5 μm), solvent: chloroform, polystyreneconversion): Mn=68000 and Mw=120000.

[0458] The obtained PHA was further analyzed for structure using nuclearmagnetic resonance (NMR) under the following conditions.

[0459] <Instrument>

[0460] FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400

[0461]¹H Resonance frequency: 400 MHz

[0462] <Measurement Conditions>

[0463] Nuclide: ¹H

[0464] Solvent: CDCl₃

[0465] Reference: TMS/CDCl₃ sealed in capillary

[0466] Temperature: Room temperature

[0467]FIG. 8 shows the ¹H-NMR spectrum chart and Table 12 the results ofthe identification.

[0468] Consequently, the poly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeratehomopolymer using FPxVA as the material and its production methodaccording to this invention have been shown.

Example C-3 Production of PHFPxV Homopolymer Using Strain H45

[0469] The cells of strain H45 were inoculated in 200 ml of M9 mediumcontaining 0.5 wt % yeast extract (DIFCO) and 0.1 wt % FPxVA andsubjected to shake culture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, lyophilized, and weighed.

[0470] The lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract was filteredwith a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain and weigh PHA.Table 13 shows the yields of the bacterial cells and polymer.

[0471] The obtained PHA was analyzed for composition as follows: 5 mg ofthe PHA sample was put in a 25-ml eggplant-type flask, 2 ml ofchloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing 3% (v/v) sulfuric acid added,the mixture refluxed at 100° C. for 3.5 hours, and water added forseparation. After separation, the organic solvent layer was analyzedusing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050,column: DB-WAXETR (J&W Co.), EI method) to identify the methyl ester ofPHA monomer unit. Consequently, only one main peak was shown andidentified as the methyl ester of 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valericacid by mass spectrometry. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the GC-MS total ionchromatogram (TIC) and mass spectrum of the main peak.

[0472] The molecular weight of the obtained PHA was determined using gelpermeation chromatography (GPC; Toso HLC-8020, column: PolymerLaboratory PLgel MIXED-C (5 μm), solvent: chloroform, polystyreneconversion): Mn=67000 and Mw=119000.

[0473] Consequently, the poly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy) valeratehomopolymer using FPxVA as the material and its production methodaccording to this invention have been shown.

[0474] D:

[0475] There are given examples of the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate according to this invention applied to theproduction of polyhydroxyalkanoate composed of the monomer unit derivedfrom 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid (HPVA) expressed as Equation (9),for which the material is 5-phenyl valeric acid (PVA) expressed asEquation (18): poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valerate (PHPV).

Example D-1

[0476] The strain H45 was inoculated in 200 ml of medium M9 containing0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.05% PVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, washed with cold methanol once,and lyophilized.

[0477] The lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHA was subjected to methanolysis by the usual method and analyzed usinggas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) to identify the methyl ester of the PHA monomer unit. Themolecular weight of the PHA was determined using gel permeationchromatography (GPC: Toso HLC-8020, column: PolymerLaboratory-PLgel-MIXED-C-5 μm, solvent; chloroform,polystyrene-converted molecular weight). Table 14 shows the results ofidentification, average molecular weight, and the yield and yield rateof the lyophilized pellet and collected polymer.

[0478] As shown in Table 14, the polymer, extracted and collected fromthe bacterial cells has been confirmed to contain only the monomer unitderived from 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid expressed as Equation (9)as the PHA monomer unit.

Example D-2

[0479] The strain H45 was inoculated in 200 ml of M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.1% PVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, suspended again in 200 ml ofmedium M9 containing 0.2% PVA without a nitrogen source (NH₄Cl), andsubjected to shake culture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, and lyophilized.

[0480] The lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHA was subjected to methanolysis by the usual method and analyzed usinggas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) to identify the methyl ester of PHA monomer unit. The molecularweight of the PHA was determined using gel permeation chromatography(GPC: Toso HLC-8020, column: Polymer Laboratory-PLgel-MIXED-C-5 μm,solvent: chloroform, polystyrene-converted molecular weight). Table 15shows the results of identification, average molecular weight, and theyield and yield rate of lyophilized pellet and collected polymer.

[0481] As shown in Table 15, the polymer, extracted and collected fromthe bacterial cells has been confirmed to contain only the monomer unitderived from 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid expressed as Equation (9),as the PHA monomer unit.

Example D-3

[0482] The strain P91 was inoculated in 200 ml of M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.1% PVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, suspended again in 200 ml of M9medium containing 0.1% PVA without a nitrogen source (NH₄Cl), andsubjected to shake culture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, and lyophilized.

[0483] The dried pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The PHA wassubjected to methanolysis by the usual method and analyzed using gaschromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EI method) toidentify the methyl ester of PHA monomer unit. Table 16 shows theresults of identification and the yield and yield rate of thelyophilized pellet and collected polymer.

[0484] As shown in Table 16, the polymer, extracted and collected fromthe bacterial cells has been confirmed to contain only the monomer unitderived from 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid expressed as Equation (9),as the PHA monomer unit.

Example D-4

[0485] The strain P161 was inoculated in 200 ml of medium M9 containing0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.1% PVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, suspended again in 200 ml of M9medium containing 0.1% PVA without a nitrogen source (NH₄Cl), andsubjected to shake culture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, and lyophilized.

[0486] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHA was subjected to methanolysis by the usual method and then analyzedusing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP5050, EImethod) to identify the methyl ester of PHA monomer unit. The molecularweight of the obtained PHS was determined by gel permeationchromatography (GPC; Toso-HLC-8020, column: PolymerLaboratory-PLgel-Mixed-C-5 μm, solvent: chloroform,polystyrene-concerted molecular weight). Table 17 shows the results ofidentification, average molecular weight, and the yield and yield rateof lyophilized pellet and collected polymer.

[0487] As shown in Table 17, the polymer, extracted and collected fromthe bacterial cells has been confirmed to contain only the monomer unitderived from 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid, expressed as Equation (9),as the PHA monomer.

Example D-5

[0488] PHPV, produced through the strain H45 was analyzed using nuclearmagnetic resonance (FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400) under the followingconditions: nuclide: ¹H and ¹³C, solvent: heavy chloroform (containingTMS). FIG. 10 shows the ¹H-NMR spectrum chart and Table 18 lists theidentification of each peak. FIG. 11 shows the ¹³C-NMR spectrum chartand Table 19 lists the identification of each peak.

[0489] Consequently, the polymer, extracted and collected from thebacterial cells, has been shown to be poly-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valericacid containing only the monomer unit derived from 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid expressed as Equation (9), as the PHA monomer unit.

[0490] There are given examples of the production method forpolyhydroxyalkanoate according to this invention applied to theproduction of polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of the monomer unitderived from 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid (HFPVA) expressedas Equation (7) for which the material is 5-(4-fluorophenyl) valericacid (FPVA) expressed as Equation (19):poly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valerate (PHFPV).

Example E-1

[0491] The substrate FPVA was synthesized first through Grignardreaction as shown in Macromolecules, 29, 1762-1766 (1996) and 27, 45-49(1994): 5-bromo valeric acid was dissolved in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran(THF) and a 3M methylmagnesiumchloride THF solution was added bydripping at −20° C. in an argon atmosphere. After stirring for 15minutes, a THF solution of 1-bromo-4-fluorobenzene and magnesium wasfurther dripped and a 0.1M Li₂CuCl₄ THF solution added (the temperaturewas kept at −20° C.). The temperature of the reaction solution wasreturned to the room temperature. The solution was stirred overnight,then poured in 20% ice-cooled sulfuric acid and stirred. The water layerwas collected and saturated with sodium chloride, followed by extractionwith ether. The extract was further extracted with 100 ml of deionizedwater including 50 g of potassium hydroxide and oxidized with 20%sulfuric acid, followed by collection of the precipitate.

[0492] This precipitate was analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance(FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400) under the following conditions: nuclide: 1H and13C, solvent: heavy chloroform (containing TMS). FIG. 13 and Table 20indicate the results of the analysis.

Example E-2

[0493] The strain H45 was inoculated in 200 ml of M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.1% FPVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, washed with cold methanol once,and lyophilized.

[0494] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHA was subjected to methanolysis by the usual method and analyzed usinggas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) to identify the methyl ester of PHA monomer unit. Table 21 showsthe results.

Example E-3

[0495] The P91 strain was inoculated in 200 ml of M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.1% FPVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and at 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, suspended again in 200 ml of M9medium containing 0.1% FPVA without a nitrogen source (NH₄Cl), andsubjected to shake culture at 30° C. and 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, and lyophilized.

[0496] The lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHS was subjected to methanolysis by the usual method and analyzed usinggas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) to identify the methyl ester of PHS monomer unit. Table 22 liststhe results.

Example E-4

[0497] The P161 strain was inoculated in 200 ml of M9 medium containingof 0.5% yeast extract (Difco Co.) and 0.1% FPVA and subjected to shakeculture at 30° C. and 125 strokes/min. After 24 hours, the bacterialcells were collected by centrifugation, suspended again in 200 ml of M9medium containing 0.1% FPVA without a nitrogen source (NH₄Cl), andsubjected to shake culture at 30° C. and 125 strokes/min. After 24hours, the bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation, washed withcold methanol once, and lyophilized.

[0498] The lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform andstirred at 60° C. for 20 hours to extract PHA. The extract solution wasfiltered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and concentrated using a rotaryevaporator. The concentrate was reprecipitated in cold methanol and theprecipitate was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain PHA. The obtainedPHA was subjected to methanolysis by the usual method, and analyzedusing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EImethod) to identify the methyl ester of PHA monomer unit. Table 23 showsthe results.

Example E-5

[0499] We analyzed PHFPV derived from strain H45, using nuclear magneticresonance spectrometer (FT-NMR: Bruker DPX400) under the followingconditions: measured nuclides, ¹H, ¹³C: used solvent, heavy chloroform(containing TMS). The results are shown in FIG. 14, Table 24, FIG. 15and Table 25.

[0500] F:

[0501] Following is an example of the process of the invention forproducing polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid (3-HCHBA) monomer unit (Formula 8) byusing 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid (CHBA, Formula 20) as a raw material.

Example F-1 Production of PHA Containing 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyricAcid as a Monomer Unit by Strain YN2 (One-Step Culture)

[0502] Colonies of strain YN2 grown on an M9 agar medium supplementedwith 0.1% yeast extract were inoculated in 200 ml of a liquid M9 mediumsupplemented with 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid,and then cultured at 30° C. After 24 hours, the cells were collected bycentrifugation, washed with methanol and then lyophilized.

[0503] After weighing, the lyophiled pellet was suspended in 100 ml ofchloroform to extract PHA at 60° C. for 20 hours with mixing. Then themixture was filtered through a 0.45 μm filter, the filtrate wasconcentrated by an evaporator. Cold methanol was added to theconcentrate to reprecipitate the polymer material. The polymer was thenvacuum-dried at room temperature and weighed. Table 26 shows the weightof the obtained lyophilized pellet and collected polymer and the yieldof the polymer (CDW: cell mass (dry weight), PDW: polymer (dry weight)).

[0504] In the above mentioned prior art (Table 2), the yield of PHAcomprised of 3-HCHBA unit was 89.1 mg/l culture. On the other hand, theresult of the above example of the invention shows that the yield is 2.5times higher than that. Moreover, the yield per dried cell mass wasimproved significantly.

[0505] The composition of the obtained PHA was analyzed as follows:

[0506] About 10 mg of PHA was put into a 25 ml eggplant type flask anddissolved in 2 ml of chloroform, then 2 ml of methanol containing 3%sulfuric acid was added to the solution and reacted for 3,5 hours underreflux at 100° C. Upon completion of the reaction, 10 ml of deionizedwater was added to the solution and shaken vigorously for 10 minutes.Subsequently, the separated lower chloroform layer was taken out anddried over magnesium sulfate, The methylesterified PHA components in thechloroform layer were identified by using a gas chromatograph-massspectrometer (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EI method). As a result, 98% ofthe PHA monomer units were 3-HCHBA of Formula (8), and 2% of them were3-hydroxybutyric acid. A small amount of cyclohexyl methanol was alsopresent.

[0507] As shown above, according to the production process of theinvention, PHA containing 3-HCHBA at a significantly high level can beobtained. The effect of the yeast extract addition in the process of theinvention was verified. The production process was a highly efficientmethod of high yield per unit volume of culture or weight of cell mass.Thus, it was verified that the present production process is highlyefficient in both the high content of 3-HCHBA unit and the high yield.

[0508] Production of PHA containing 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acidas a monomer unit by strain H45 (one-step culture).

[0509] Colonies of strain H45 grown on an M9 agar medium supplementedwith 0.1% yeast extract were inoculated in 200 ml of a liquid M9 mediumsupplemented with 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid,and then cultured at 30° C. After 24 hours, the cells were collected bycentrifugation, washed with methanol and then lyophilized.

[0510] After weighing, the lyophiled pellet was suspended in 100 ml ofchloroform to extract PHA at 60° C. for 20 hours with mixing. Then themixture was filtered through a 0.45 μm filter, the filtrate wasconcentrated by an evaporator. Cold methanol was added to theconcentrate to reprecipitate the polymer material. The polymer was thenvacuum dried at room temperature and weighed. Table 27 shows the weightof the obtained lyophilized pellet (CDW) and collected polymer (PDW) andthe yield of the polymer.

[0511] In the above mentioned prior art (Table 2), the yield of PHAcomprised of a 3-HCHBA unit was 89.1 mg/l culture. On the other hand,the result of the above example of the invention shows that the yield is1.3 times higher than that. Moreover, the yield per unit dried cell masswas improved significantly.

[0512] The composition of the obtained PHA was analyzed as follows:

[0513] About 10 mg of PHA was put into a 25 ml eggplant type flask anddissolved in 2 ml of chloroform, then 2 ml of methanol containing 3%sulfuric acid was added to the solution and reacted for 3,5 hours underreflux at 100° C. Upon completion of the reaction, 10 ml of deionizedwater was added to the solution and shaken vigorously for 10 minutes.Subsequently, the separated lower chloroform layer was taken out anddried over magnesium sulfate, The methylesterified PHA components in thechloroform layer were identified by using a gas chromatograph-massspectrometer (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EI method). As a result, 97% ofthe PHA monomer units were 3-HCHBA of Formula (8), and 3% of them were3-hydroxybutyric acid. A small amount of cyclohexyl methanol was alsopresent.

[0514] As shown above, according to the production process of theinvention, PHA containing 3-HCHBA at a significantly high level can beobtained by strain H45 as well.

[0515] Production of PHA containing 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acidas a monomer unit by strain P161 (one-step culture)

[0516] Colonies of strain H45 grown on an M9 agar medium supplementedwith 0.1% yeast extract were inoculated in 200 ml of a liquid M9 mediumsupplemented with 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid,and then cultured at 30° C. After 24 hours, the cells were collected bycentrifugation, washed with methanol and then lyophilized.

[0517] After weighing, the lyophiled pellet was suspended in 100 ml ofchloroform to extract PHA at 60° C. for 20 hours with mixing. Then themixture was filtered through a 0.45 μm filter, the filtrate wasconcentrated by an evaporator. Cold methanol was added to theconcentrate to reprecipitate the polymer material. The polymer was thenvacuum dried at room temperature and weighed. Table 28 shows the weightof the obtained lyophilized pellet and collected polymer and the yieldof the polymer.

[0518] In the above mentioned prior art (Table 2), the yield of PHAcomprised of 3-HCHBA unit was 89.1 mg/l culture. On the other hand, theresult of the above example of the invention shows that the yield is 1.5times higher than that. Moreover, the yield per dried cell mass wasimproved significantly.

[0519] The composition of the obtained PHA was analyzed as follows:

[0520] About 10 mg of PHA was put into a 25 ml eggplant type flask anddissolved in 2 ml of chloroform, then 2 ml of methanol containing 3%sulfuric acid was added to the solution and reacted for 3,5 hours underreflux at 100° C. Upon completion of the reaction, 10 ml of deionizedwater was added to the solution and shaken vigorously for 10 minutes.Subsequently, the separated lower chloroform layer was taken out anddried over magnesium sulfate, The methylesterified PHA components in thechloroform layer were identified by using a gas chromatograph-massspectrometer (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, EI method). As a result, 94% ofthe PHA monomer units were 3-HCHBA of Formula (8), and 6% of them were3-hydroxybutyric acid. A small amount of cyclohexyl methanol was alsopresent.

[0521] As shown above, according to the production process of theinvention, PHA containing 3-HCHBA at a significantly high level can beobtained by strain P161 as well.

Example F-2

[0522] Production of PHA Containing 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric AcidUnits Using Strain YN2 (Two Step Cultivation).

[0523] Strain YN2 colonies grown on an M9 agar medium containing 0.1%yeast extract were inoculated in an M9 liquid medium (200 mL) containing0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid, and then culturedat 30° C. After 24 hours, the cells were collected by centrifugation.Subsequently, the cells were transferred into a fresh M9 mediumcontaining 0.1% 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid but free from NaCl and NH₄Cl,and cultured for 21 hours at 30° C. Subsequently, the cells were washedonce with methanol and lyophilized.

[0524] This lyophilized pellet was weighed, and then the polymer wascollected through the same process as that conducted in Example F-1.This polymer was vacuum dried at room temperature and weighed. Theobtained amounts of the lyophilized pellet (CDW) and the collectedpolymer (PDW) and the yield are shown in Table 29.

[0525] While the yielded amount of PHA containing the units derived from3-hydroxy-4-cycrohexylbutyric acid in the above mentioned ordinaryreport (Table 2) was 89.1 mg per liter of the culture medium, theexample of the invention resulted in obtaining approximately 3.2 timesof the yielded amount. And the yield per dry cell mass is also improvedsignificantly.

[0526] The composition of the obtained PHA was evaluated with the sameprocess as that conducted in Example of the invention F-1. Consequently,99% of them were derived from units of 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyricacid expressed as Formula (8) and 1% of them were units of3-hydroxybutyric acid. A little amount of cyclohexyl methanol was alsoexisted.

[0527] The molecular weight of the obtained polymer was determined asMn=49000 and Mw=100000, with using GPC (TOSOH HLC-8020, column: Polymerlaboratory PLgel MIXED-C (5 μm), solvent: chloroform, conversion intopolystyrene).

[0528] The above mentioned results show that the production processusing this invention enables obtaining PHA containing significantly highlevel of units derived from 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid expressedas the equation (8). The effect of adding yeast extract to the medium inthe process of this invention was verified. Additionally, the yield perunit medium and the yield per unit cell mass were sufficiently improved.Thus the method of the invention is verified to be a highly efficientproduction method in both the high content of3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid unit in the polymer and the highyield.

[0529] Example F-1 and this Example were compared and then it wasverified that the obtained PHA can also contain a significantly highlevel of 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid unit by using a processwhere the cells are cultured in a mineral medium containing yeastextract and 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid, and then transferred and culturedin a mineral medium not containing yeast extract.

Example F-3

[0530] Purification and NMR Analysis of PHA Consisting of3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric Acid Units

[0531] The following purifying process was conducted in order to removePHB (poly 3-hydroxybutyric acid) component that was mixed in and thecomponent considered as cyclohexylmethanol from the polymer obtained inExample F-2.

[0532] The polymer was suspended in acetone, and extraction wasconducted for 24 hours at 60° C. Supernatant liquid was collected withcentrifugation and extraction from the precipitated segment with acetonewas conducted again. This operation was repeated 5 times, and then thecollected supernatant liquid was condensed and dried thoroughly with anevaporator. The thoroughly dried sample was dissolved in a small amountof chloroform, and then precipitated again in cold methanol. Thisoperation was repeated 3 times, and then the obtained polymer was vacuumdried. The obtained dried polymer was weighed as 281 mg.

[0533]¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR analyses of the polymer were conducted (FT-NMR:Bruker DPX 400, used solvent heavy chloroform (containing TMS). Thechart of ¹H-NMR is shown in FIG. 16, the assignments are in Table 30,and the chart of ¹³C-NMR is in FIG. 17, and the assignments are in Table31.

[0534] From this evaluation, it is judged that PHB (poly3-hydroxylbutyric acid) component that was mixed in and the componentconsidered as cyclohexylmethanol were removed and PHA consisting of3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid was collected.

[0535] G:

[0536] One example in which the production process of polyhydroalkanoatedescribed in this invention is applied for production of the followingcompounds: polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of the monomer unitsincluding 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV) with using 7-phenoxyheptanoicacid as a material, which is the copolymer consisting of3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV).

Example G-1

[0537] Production of the P(HPxV/HPxHp) Polymer with Using Strain YN2(Yeast Extract—One Step Cultivation)

[0538] Strain YN2 was inoculated into 200 mL of M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco) and 0.1% 7-phenoxyheptanoic acid(PxHpA), and shake-cultured with 125 strokes per minute and at 30° C.After 64 hours, cells were collected by centrifugation, washed once withcold methanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0539] This lyophilized pellet was suspended into 100 mL of acetone andthe polymer was extracted through mixing for 72 hours at the roomtemperature (23° C.). The extract was filtrated through amembrane-filter of 0.45 μm pore size and then concentrated by a rotaryevaporator. Subsequently, the concentrate was reprecipitated in coldmethanol and then the precipitate was collected. The obtained polymerwas vacuum-dried and weighed.

[0540] The molecular weight of the obtained polymer was determined bygel permeation chromatography (GPC: Toso HLC-8020, column: Polymerlaboratory-PLgel-MIXED-C-5 μm, solvent: chloroform, molecular weightconverted in polystyrene).

[0541] The composition of the obtained polymer unit was analyzed withthe following process: the 5 mg of the polymer sample was put into the25 mL eggplant shaped flask, 2 mL of chloroform and 2 mL of methanolcontaining 3% sulfuric acid (v/v) were added to the solution, and refluxfor 3.5 hours at 100° C. was conducted. Separating occurred by addingwater to the solution. Then the organic layer was analyzed with a gaschromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS, Shimadzu QP-5050, column:DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W), EI method) and identification formethylesterified compounds of PHA monomer unit was conducted. The yieldrate of the cells and the polymer and results of analysis of monomerunits are shown in Table 32. The mass spectra of3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV) methyl ester and3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) methyl ester, which wereobtained using GC-MS, are shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, respectively.

[0542] Consequently, it was suggested that using strain YN2, PHAcopolymer consisting of only 2 units of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) and 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp), with7-phenoxyheptanoic acid as a substrate, could be produced.

Example G-2 Production of P(HPxV/HPxHp) Polymer by Using Strain H45(Yeast Extract Single-Step Culture)

[0543] Strain H45 was inoculated in a 200 ml M9 culture mediumcontaining 0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co.) and 0.1%7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (PxHpA), and shake-cultured at 30° C., 125stroke/min. After 64 hr, cells were collected by centrifugation, washedonce with cold methanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0544] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, and apolymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at a room temperature (23°C.). The fluid extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μm poresize, and condensed by a rotary evaporator. The condensed fluid wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate was collectedand vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0545] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0546] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was analyzedby a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: Shimadzu QP-5050;Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identify themethyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of the cellsand polymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit are shown inTable 33. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleic acid (3HPxV)methyl ester and 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) methylester, which were obtained by GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 20and FIG. 21, respectively.

[0547] From the above result, it was shown that strain H45 can producePHA copolymer composed of only two units of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleicacid (3HPxV) and 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) by using7-phenoxyheptanoic acid as substrate.

[0548] H:

[0549] An example of the production method of polyhydroxyalkanoate inthe present invention by using 8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (PxOA) as the rawmaterial is shown here, where this method was applied to the productionof a polyhydroxyalkanoate which is composed of monomer units derivedfrom three kinds of substances including 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid(3HPxB), 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (3HPxHx) and3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO), and is a copolymer composed of3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (3HPxB), 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoicacid (3HPxHx) and 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO).

Example H-1 Production of P(HPxB/HPxHx/HPxO) Polymer by Using Strain YN2(Yeast Extract, Single-Step Culture)

[0550] Strain YN2 was inoculated in 200 ml of an M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co) and 0.1% 8-phenoxyoctanoicacid (PxOA), and shaking cultured at 30° C., 125 stroke/min. After 24hr, cells were collected by centrifugation, washed once with coldmethanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0551] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, andthe polymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at a room temperature (23°C.). The liquid extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μmpore size, and condensed by a rotary evaporator. The concentrate wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate was collectedand vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0552] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0553] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was analyzedby a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: Shimadzu QP-5050;Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identify themethyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of the cellsand polymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit are shown inTable 34. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (3HPxB)methyl ester, 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (3HPxHx) and3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO) methyl ester, which wereobtained by GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 22, FIG. 23 and FIG.24, respectively.

[0554] From the above result, it was shown that strain YN2 can producePHA copolymer composed of only three units of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyricacid (3HPxB), 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (3HPxHx) and3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO) by using 8-phenoxyoctanoic acidas substrate.

Example H-2 Production of P(HPxB/HPxHx/HPxO) Polymer by Using Strain H45(Yeast Extract Single-Step Culture)

[0555] strain H45 was inoculated on M9 culture medium, 200 ml in volume,including 0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co) and 0.1%8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (PxOA), and its shaking culture was done at 30°C., 125 stroke/min. After 24 hr, cells were collected by centrifugation,washed once with cold methanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0556] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, and apolymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at a room temperature (23°C.). The fluid extract was filtered by a membrane filter with 0.45 μmpore diameter, and was condensed by a rotary evaporator. The condensedfluid was reprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitatealone was collected and vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0557] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0558] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was analyzedby a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: Shimadzu QP-5050;Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identify themethyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of the cellsand polymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit are shown inTable 35. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (3HPxB)methyl ester, 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (3HPxHx) and3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO) methyl ester, which wereobtained by GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 25, FIG. 26 and FIG.27, respectively.

[0559] From the above result, it was shown that strain H45 can producePHA copolymer composed of only three units of 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyricacid (3HPxB), 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (3HPxHx) and3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid (3HPxO) by using 8-phenoxyoctanoic acidas substrate.

[0560] I:

[0561] An example of the production method of polyhydroxyalkanoate inthe present invention by using 11-phenoxyundecanoic acid (PxUDA) as theraw material is shown here, where this method was applied to theproduction of a polyhydroxyalkanoate which is composed of monomer unitsderived from three kinds of substances including3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV), 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoicacid (3HPxHp) and 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid (3HPxN), and is acopolymer composed of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV),3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid (3HPxN).

Example I-1 Production of P(HPxN/HPxHp/HPxV) Polymer by Using Strain YN2(Yeast Extract, Single-Step Culture)

[0562] Strain YN2 was inoculated in 200 ml of an M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co) and 0.1% 11-phenoxyundecanoicacid (PxUDA), and cultured at 30° C. with shaking at 125 stroke/min.After 64 hr, the cells were collected by centrifugation, washed oncewith cold methanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0563] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, andthe polymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at a room temperature (23°C.). The extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μm pore sizeand was condensed by a rotary evaporator. The condensate wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate was collectedand vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0564] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0565] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was subjectedto the analysis by gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: ShimadzuQP-5050; Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identifythe methyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of thecells and polymer, and the result of analysis of the monomer unit areshown in Table 36. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid(3HPxV) methyl ester, 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid (3HPxN) methyl ester, which wereobtained by GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 28, FIG. 29 and FIG.30, respectively.

[0566] From the above result, it was shown that strain YN2 can producePHA copolymer composed of only three units of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvalericacid (3HPxV), 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid (3HPxN) by using 11-phenoxyundecanoicacid as substrate.

Example I-2

[0567] Production of P(HPxN/HPxHp/HPxV) Polymer by Using Strain H45(Yeast Extract, Single-Step Culture)

[0568] Strain H45 was inoculated in 200 ml of an M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co) and 0.1% 11-phenoxyundecanoicacid (PxUDA), and cultured at 30° C., with shaking at 125 stroke/min.After 64 hr, the cells were collected by centrifugation, washed oncewith cold methanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0569] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, andthe polymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at a room temperature (23°C.). The extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μm pore sizeand was condensed by a rotary evaporator. The condensed fluid wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate was collectedand vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0570] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0571] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was analyzedby a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: Shimadzu QP-5050;Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identify themethyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of the cellsand polymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit are shown inTable 37. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV)methyl ester, 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid (3HPxN) methyl ester, which wereobtained by GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 31, FIG. 32 and FIG.33, respectively.

[0572] From the above result, it was shown that strain H45 can producePHA copolymer composed of only three units of 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvalericacid (3HPxV), 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (3HPxHp) and3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid (3HPxN) by using 11-phenoxyundecanoicacid as substrate.

[0573] J:

[0574] An example of the production method of polyhydroxyalkanoate inthe present invention by using 6-phenylhexanoic acid (PHxA) as the rawmaterial is shown here, where this method was applied to the productionof a polyhydroxyalkanoate composed of monomer units derived from3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (3HPHx), that is,poly-3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (PHPHx), or to the production of apolyhydroxyalkanoate which is composed of monomer units derived from3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (3HPHx) and 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyricacid (3HPB), and is a copolymer composed of 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoicacid (3HPHx) and 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (3HPB).

Example J-1 Production of PHPHx Polymer by Using Strain YN2 (YeastExtract, Single-Step Culture)

[0575] Strain YN2 was inoculated in 200 ml of an M9 medium containing0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co) and 0.1% 6-phenylhexanoic acid(PHxA), and cultured at 30° C. with shaking at 125 stroke/min. After 27hr, cells were collected by centrifugation, washed once with coldmethanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0576] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, andthe polymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at room temperature (23°C.). The extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μm pore size,and was condensed by a rotary evaporator. The condensed fluid wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate alone wascollected and vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0577] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0578] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water and fractional separation of the fluid, the organiclayer was analyzed by a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS:Shimadzu QP-5050; Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) toidentify the methyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yieldof cells and polymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit areshown in Table 38. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid(3HPHx) methyl ester obtained by GC-MS measurement is shown in FIG. 34.

[0579] From the above result, it was shown that strain YN2 can producePHA polymer consisted of 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (3HPHx) aloneby using 6-phenylhexanoic acid as substrate.

Example J-2

[0580] Production of P(HPHx/HPB) Polymer by Using Strain H45 (YeastExtract Single-Step Culture)

[0581] Strain H45 was inoculated in 200 ml of an M9 culture mediumcontaining 0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co) and 0.1%6-phenylhexanoic acid (PHxA), and was cultured at 30° C., with shakingat 125 stroke/min. After 27 hr, cells were collected by centrifugation,washed once with cold methanol, lyophilized and weighed.

[0582] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, and apolymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at a room temperature (23°C.). The extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μm pore size,and was condensed by a rotary evaporator. The condensed fluid wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate alone wascollected and vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0583] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0584] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was analyzedby a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: Shimadzu QP-5050;Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identify themethyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of cells andpolymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit are shown in Table39. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (3HPB) methylester and 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (3HPHx), which were obtainedby GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, respectively.

[0585] From the above result, it was shown that strain H45 can producePHA copolymer composed only of 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (3HPB) and3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (3HPHx) by using 6-phenylhexanoic acidas substrate.

[0586] K:

[0587] An example of the production method of polyhydroxyalkanoate inthe present invention by using both 5-phenylvaleric acid (PVA) and5-phenoxyvaleric acid (PxVA) as the raw materials is shown here, wherethis method was applied to the production of a polyhydroxyalkanoatewhich is composed of monomer units of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid(3HPV) and 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV), and is a copolymercomposed of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (3HPV) and3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV).

Example K-1

[0588] Production of P(HPV/HPxV) Polymer by Using Strain YN2 (YeastExtract, Single-Step Culture)

[0589] Strain YN2 was inoculated in 200 ml of an M9 culture mediumcontaining 0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co), 0.05%5-phenylvaleric acid (PVA) and 0.05% 5-phenoxyvaleric acid (PxVA), andcultured at 30° C., with shaking at 125 stroke/min. After 24 hr, cellswere collected by centrifugation, washed once with cold methanol,lyophilized and weighed.

[0590] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, andthe polymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at room temperature (23°C.). The extract was filtered by a membrane filter with 0.45 μm poresize, and was concentrated by a rotary evaporator. The concentrate wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate was collectedand vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0591] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0592] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water and fractional separation of the fluid, the organiclayer was analyzed by a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS:Shimadzu QP-5050; Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) toidentify the methyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yieldof cells and polymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit areshown in Table 40. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid(3HPV) methyl ester and 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV), whichwere obtained by GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38,respectively.

[0593] From the above result, it was shown that strain YN2 can producePHA copolymer composed only of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (3HPv) and3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV) corresponding to 5-phenylvalericacid and 5-phenoxyvaleric acid as substrates.

Example K-2

[0594] Production of P(HPV/HPxV) Polymer by Using Strain H45 (YeastExtract, Single-Step Culture)

[0595] Strain H45 was inoculated into 200 ml of an M9 culture mediumcontaining 0.5% yeast extract (produced by Difco Co), 0.05%5-phenylvaleric acid (PVA) and 0.05% 5-phenoxyvaleric acid (PxVA), andcultured at 30° C. with shaking at 125 stroke/min. After 24 hr, cellswere collected by centrifugation, washed once with cold methanol,lyophilized and weighed.

[0596] This lyophilized pellet was suspended in 100 ml of acetone, and apolymer was extracted by mixing for 72 hr at room temperature (23° C.).The extract was filtered by a membrane filter of 0.45 μm pore size, andwas concentrated by a rotary evaporator. The concentrate wasreprecipitated in cold methanol, and then the precipitate was collectedand vacuum-dried to obtain a polymer to be weighed.

[0597] The molecular weight of the polymer obtained was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC: Toso, HLC-8020; Column: PolymerLaboratory, PLgel MIXED-C, 5 μm; Solvent: chloroform;Polystyrene-converted molecular weight).

[0598] The unit composition of the polymer obtained was analyzed asfollows: Five milligram of polymer sample put into a 25 ml eggplant-typeflask was added with 2 ml of chloroform and 2 ml of methanol containing3% (v/v) sulfuric acid, and was refluxed for 3.5 hr at 100° C. Afteraddition of water for phase separation, the organic layer was analyzedby a gas-chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS: Shimadzu QP-5050;Column: DB-WAXETR (produced by J&W Co); EI method) to identify themethyl esterified compound of PHA monomer unit. The yield of cells andpolymer, and the result of analysis of monomer unit are shown in Table41. The mass spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (3HPV) methylester and 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV), which were obtainedby GC-MS measurement, are shown in FIG. 39 and FIG. 40, respectively.

[0599] From the above result, it was shown that strain H45 can producePHA copolymer composed only of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (3HPV) and3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (3HPxV) corresponding to 5-phenylvalericacid and 5-phenoxyvaleric acid as substrates. TABLE 1 Cell Polymer (Dryweight) (Dry weight) Yield Carbon source (Alkanoate) (mg/l) (mg/l) (%)6-Phenoxyhexanoic acid 950 100    10.5 8-Phenoxyoctanoic acid 820 90 1111-Phenoxyundecanoic acid 150 15 10

[0600] TABLE 2 NA:CHBA CDW PDW Yield Unit 5:5 756.0 89.1 11.8 NA, CHBA1:9 132.8 19.3 14.5 NA, CHBA

[0601] TABLE 3 P. putida P91 Cell (Dry weight) 520 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight)  14 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight)  2.7% Polymermolecular weight Mn = 42,000 Mw = 84,000 Monomer unit composition (arearatio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid  0% 3-hydroxy valeric acid  0% 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy octanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy decanoic acid  0%3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid 100%

[0602] TABLE 4 P. putida P91 Cell (Dry weight) 500 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight)  8 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight)  1.4% Monomerunit composition (area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid  0% 3-hydroxyvaleric acid  0% 3-hydroxy hexanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy octanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxydecanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy butyric acid 100%

[0603] TABLE 5 ¹H NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment 0.8 to 1.6 Impurity 2.71 d; 2H, a 3.97 d; 2H, c 5.47 m; 1H, b6.79 d; 2H, f, h 6.90 t; 1H, g 7.19 t; 2H, e, i

[0604] TABLE 6 ¹H NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz ChemicalIntegral Shift/ppm value/H type Identification 1.562 broad Impurity1.863 4 m c, d 2.474 2 t b 3.994 2 t c 6.905 2 t h, j 6.964 1 t i 7.28 2 t g, k 9.35  broad —COOH

[0605] TABLE 7 Dry cell Dry polymer Yield (mg/l) (mg/l) (dry polymer/drycell, %) 750 45 6.0

[0606] TABLE 8 ¹H NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz ChemicalIntegral Shift/ppm value/H type Identification 1.562 broad Impurity2.009 2 m d 2.585 2 d b 3.9  2 m e 5.365 1 m c 6.81  2 m h, j 6.89  1 ti 7.21  2 t g, k

[0607] TABLE 9 Dry cell Dry polymer Yield (mg/l) (mg/l) (dry polymer/drycell, %) 850 95 11.2

[0608] TABLE 10 ¹H NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz ChemicalShift/ppm Integral/H type Identification 1.85 4 m c, d 2.46 2 t b 3.95 2t e 6.83 2 t h, j 6.97 2 t g, k 10.15  broad —COOH

[0609] TABLE 11 Dry cell Dry polymer Yield (mg/l) (mg/l) (drypolymer/dry cell, %) 700 35 5.0

[0610] TABLE 12 ¹H NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz ChemicalShift/ppm Integral/H type Identification to 1.55 Impurity 2.00 2 m d2.59 2 d b 3.86 2 m c 5.36 1 m c 6.74 2 m h, j 6.90 2 t g, k

[0611] TABLE 13 Dry cell Dry polymer Yield (mg/l) (mg/l) (drypolymer/dry cell, %) 830 72 8.7

[0612] TABLE 14 P. cichorii H45 Cell (Dry weight) 1050 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight)  310 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight)  30% Polymermolecular weight Mn = 1.5 × 10⁵ Mw = 1.8 × 10⁵ Monomer unit composition(area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid   0% 3-hydroxy valeric acid   0%3-hydroxy hexanoic acid   0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid   0% 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid   0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid   0% 3-hydroxy decanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid  100%

[0613] TABLE 15 P. cichorii H45 Cell (Dry weight) 800 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight) 320 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight)  40% Polymermolecular weight Mn = 9.7 × 10⁴ Mw = 2.1 × 10⁵ Monomer unit composition(area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid  0% 3-hydroxy valeric acid  0%3-hydroxy hexanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy decanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid 100%

[0614] TABLE 16 P. putida P91 Cell (Dry weight) 880 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight)  96 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight)  11% Monomerunit composition (area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid  0% 3-hydroxyvaleric acid  0% 3-hydroxy hexanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy octanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxydecanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid 100%

[0615] TABLE 17 P. jessenii P161 Cell (Dry weight) 650 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight) 410 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight)  63% Polymermolecular weight Mn = 4.9 × 10⁴ Mw = 9.2 × 10⁴ Monomer unit composition(area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid  0% 3-hydroxy valeric acid  0%3-hydroxy hexanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid  0% 3-hydroxy decanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl valeric acid 100%

[0616] TABLE 18 ¹H NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment 0.9 to 1.7 Broad peak → Impurities 1.9 m; 2H, —CH₂ → d 2.4 to2.6 m; 4H, —CH₂ × 2 → b, e 5.2 to 5.3 m; 1H, —OCH → c 6.9 to 7.0 m; 3H,→ Benzene proton → h, i, j 7.1 m; 2H, → Benzene proton → g, k 7.3 s;Solvent (CDCl₃)

[0617] TABLE 19 ¹³C-NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 100 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment 31.8 —CH₂ → d 35.8 —CH₂ → e 39.4 —CH₂ → b 70.9 —CH → c 77.1to 77.7 Solvent (CDCl₃) 126.5  —CH (benzene ring) → i 128.7 to 128.9 —CH(benzene ring) → g, h, j, k 141.3  C (benzene ring) → f 169.7  Carbonyl—C═O → a

[0618] TABLE 20 Chemical shift/ppm type Identification 1.67 m c, d 2.39t b 2.62 t e 6.97 t h, j 7.12 t g, k 10.7 broad COOH

[0619] TABLE 21 P. cichorii H45 Cell (Dry weight) 1310 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight)  270 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight) 21% Monomerunit composition (area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid 0% 3-hydroxyvaleric acid 0% 3-hydroxy hexanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid 0%3-hydroxy octanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy decanoicacid 0% 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid 100%

[0620] TABLE 22 P. putida P91 Cell (Dry weight) 430 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight)  17 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight) 4% Monomer unitcomposition (area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid 0% 3-hydroxy valericacid 0% 3-hydroxy hexanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy decanoic acid 0%3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid 100%

[0621] TABLE 23 P. jessenji P161 Cell (Dry weight) 780 mg/l Polymer (Dryweight) 330 mg/l Polymer (Dry weight)/Cell (Dry weight) 42% Monomer unitcomposition (area ratio) 3-hydroxy butyric acid 0% 3-hydroxy valericacid 0% 3-hydroxy hexanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy heptanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy nonanoic acid 0% 3-hydroxy decanoic acid 0%3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl) valeric acid 100%

[0622] TABLE 24 ¹H-NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 400 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment 0.9 to 1.7 Broad peak → Impurities 1.8 to 1.9 m; 2H, —CH₂ → d2.4 to 2.6 m; 4H, —CH₂ × 2 → b, e 5.2 to 5.3 m; 1H, —OCH → c 6.9 to 7.0t; 2H, Proton at o-benzene → h, j 7.1 t; 2H, Proton at m-benzene → g, k7.3 s; Solvent (CDCl₃)

[0623] TABLE 25 ¹³C-NMR Spectrum Resonance frequency: 100 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment  31.0 —CH₂ → d  35.9 —CH₂ → e  39.4 —CH₂ → b  70.5 —CH → c77.1 to 77.7 Solvent (CDCl₃) 115.5, 115.7 —CH at o-benzene → h, i 130.0—CH at m-benzene → g, k 136.3 C at p-benzene → f 160.5, 163.0 —C at withF substitution → i 169.7 Carbonyl —C═O → a

[0624] TABLE 26 CDW PDW Yield 1100 225 20.5

[0625] TABLE 27 CDW PDW Yield 800 120 15.0

[0626] TABLE 28 CDW PDW Yield 750 130 17.3

[0627] TABLE 29 CDW PDW Yield 1100 285 25.9

[0628] TABLE 30 ¹H Spectrum Resonans frequency: 400 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment 0.9 to 1.8 m; 11H, —CH₂ × 5 → f, g, h, i, j —CH → e 1.5 to1.7 m; 2H, —CH₂ → d 2.5 to 2.6 dd; 2H, —CH₂ → b (further splitting dueto remote H—H coupling with hexyl group) 5.2 to 5.3 m; 1H, —OCH → c

[0629] TABLE 31 ¹³C Spectrum Resonans frequency: 100 MHz δ (ppm)Assignment 26.4 to 34.3 hexyl —CH₂, —CH → e to j  40.1 —CH₂ → d  41.9—CH₂ → b  69.3 —CH → c 77.1 to 77.7 Solvent (CDCl₃) 169.8 Carbonyl —C ═O→ a

[0630] TABLE 32 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1295 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 350 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 3.9 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 8.1 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleic acid (%) 60.03-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (%) 40.0

[0631] TABLE 33 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1070 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 235 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 2.9 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 5.7 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleic acid (%) 27.93-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (%) 72.1

[0632] TABLE 34 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1315 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 415 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 2.5 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 5.5 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (%) 2.23-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (%) 68.7 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoicacid (%) 29.1

[0633] TABLE 35 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 990 Polymer (Dry weight) (mg/l)225 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 1.8 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 4.3 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid (%) 2.43-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid (%) 73.2 3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoicacid (%) 24.4

[0634] TABLE 36 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1510 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 385 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 1.8 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 3.8 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (%) 32.03-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (%) 65.6 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoicacid (%) 2.4

[0635] TABLE 37 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1015 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 120 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 2.2 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 4.5 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (%) 45.83-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid (%) 47.8 3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoicacid (%) 6.4

[0636] TABLE 38 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1095 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 90 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 6.8 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 17.9 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (%)100.0

[0637] TABLE 39 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 935 Polymer (Dry weight) (mg/l)90 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 6.9 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 15.5 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (%) 1.73-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid (%) 98.7

[0638] TABLE 40 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1300 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 330 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 5.0 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 10.8 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (%) 62.33-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (%) 37.7

[0639] TABLE 41 Cell (Dry weight) (mg/l) 1050 Polymer (Dry weight)(mg/l) 165 Number average molecular weight (Mn) × 10⁴ 3.6 Weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) × 10⁴ 7.7 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid (%) 76.43-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid (%) 23.6

[0640]

1 1 1 1501 DNA Pseudomonas jessenii P161 ; FERM P-17445 1 tgaacgctggcggcaggcct aacacatgca agtcgagcgg 40 atgacgggag cttgctcctg aattcagcggcggacgggtg 80 agtaatgcct aggaatctgc ctggtagtgg gggacaacgt 120 ctcgaaagggacgctaatac cgcatacgtc ctacgggaga 160 aagcagggga ccttcgggcc ttgcgctatcagatgagcct 200 aggtcggatt agctagttgg tgaggtaatg gctcaccaag 240gcgacgatcc gtaactggtc tgagaggatg atcagtcaca 280 ctggaactga gacacggtccagactcctac gggaggcagc 320 agtggggaat attggacaat gggcgaaagc ctgatccagc360 catgccgcgt gtgtgaagaa ggtcttcgga ttgtaaagca 400 ctttaagttgggaggaaggg cattaaccta atacgttagt 440 gttttgacgt taccgacaga ataagcaccggctaactctg 480 tgccagcagc cgcggtaata cagagggtgc aagcgttaat 520cggaattact gggcgtaaag cgcgcgtagg tggtttgtta 560 agttggatgt gaaagccccgggctcaacct gggaactgca 600 ttcaaaactg acaagctaga gtatggtaga gggtggtgga640 atttcctgtg tagcggtgaa atgcgtagat ataggaagga 680 acaccagtggcgaaggcgac cacctggact gatactgaca 720 ctgaggtgcg aaagcgtggg gagcaaacaggattagatac 760 cctggtagtc cacgccgtaa acgatgtcaa ctagccgttg 800ggagccttga gctcttagtg gcgcagctaa cgcattaagt 840 tgaccgcctg gggagtacggccgcaaggtt aaaactcaaa 880 tgaattgacg ggggcccgca caagcggtgg agcatgtggt920 ttaattcgaa gcaacgcgaa gaaccttacc aggccttgac 960 atccaatgaactttccagag atggatgggt gccttcggga 1000 acattgagac aggtgctgca tggctgtcgtcagctcgtgt 1040 cgtgagatgt tgggttaagt cccgtaacga gcgcaaccct 1080tgtccttagt taccagcacg taatggtggg cactctaagg 1120 agactgccgg tgacaaaccggaggaaggtg gggatgacgt 1160 caagtcatca tggcccttac ggcctgggct acacacgtgc1200 tacaatggtc ggtacagagg gttgccaagc cgcgaggtgg 1240 agctaatcccacaaaaccga tcgtagtccg gatcgcagtc 1280 tgcaactcga ctgcgtgaag tcggaatcgctagtaatcgc 1320 gaatcagaat gtcgcggtga atacgttccc gggccttgta 1360cacaccgccc gtcacaccat gggagtgggt tgcaccagaa 1400 gtagctagtc taaccttcgggaggacggtt accacggtgt 1440 gattcatgac tggggtgaag tcgtaccaag gtagccgtag1480 gggaacctgc ggctggatca c 1501

What is claimed is:
 1. A polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising one or more ofmonomer units represented by Formula (1),

where R is at least one selected from the group represented by any oneof Formulas (2), (3) and (4);

in formula (2), R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenatom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇, and q is aninteger of 1 to 8; in formula (3), R2 is selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen atom (h), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅and —C₃F₇, and r is an integer of 1 to 8; in formula (4), R3 is selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen atom (h), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂,—CF₃, —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇, and s is an integer of 1 to 8; provided thatfollowing R is not selected: when one kind of R is selected: R beingR1=H and q=2, R being R1=H and q=3 in Formula (2), R being R2=halogenand r=2, or R being R2=—CN and r=3 and R being R2=—NO₂ and r=3 inFormula (3); when two kinds of R are selected: a combination of R beingR1=H and q=3 and 5 respectively in Formula (2), a combination of R beingR2=H and r=2 and 4 respectively, a combination of R being R2=H and r=2and 6 respectively, and a combination of R being R2=halogen and r=2 and4 respectively in Formula (3); when three kinds of R are selected: acombination of R being R1=H and q=3, 5 and 7 respectively in Formula(2), a combination of R being R2=H and r=1, 3 and 5 respectively, and acombination of R being R2=H and r=2, 4 and 6 respectively in Formula(3).
 2. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to claim 1 wherein themonomer unit is 3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid unit of Formula (5).


3. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to claim 1 wherein the monomerunit is 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid unit of Formula (6).


4. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to claim 1 wherein the monomerunit is 3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)valeric acid unit of Formula (7).


5. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to claim 1 wherein the monomerunit is 3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid unit of Formula (8).


6. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to claim 1 wherein the monomerunit is 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid unit of Formula (6) and3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid unit of Formula (9).


7. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to claim 1 wherein the monomerunit is 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid unit of Formula (10) and3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid units of Formula (11).


8. The polyhydroxyalkanoate according to any one of claims 1 to 7wherein a number average molecular weight is 10 to 200 thousands.
 9. Aprocess of producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising the step of:culturing a microorganism in a culture medium containing a raw materialalkanoate and an yeast extract, wherein the microorganism produces apolyhydroxyalkanoate utilizing the alkanoate.
 10. The process accordingto claim 9, wherein the alkanoate is represented by Formula (12), andthe polyhydroxyalkanoate has one or more of monomer units represented byFormula (13):

wherein in Formula (12), R is at least one selected from the groupconsisting of Formulas (2), (3) and (4);

wherein in Formula (2), R1 is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇, and qis an integer of 1 to 8; in Formula (3), R2 is selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂, —CF₃, —C₂F₅and —C₃F₇, and r is an integer of 1 to 8; in Formula (4), R3 is selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen atom (H), halogen atom, —CN, —NO₂,—CF₃, —C₂F₅ and —C₃F₇, and s is an integer of 1 to 8;

wherein R′ is the selected R for the alkanoate or a group having thesame R1, R2 or R3 as R but q=q₀, q=q₀−2, q=q₀−4 q=q₀−6; or r=r₀, r=r₀−2,r=r₀−4 or r=r₀−6; or s=s₀ or s=s₀−2, s=s₀−4 or s=s₀−6; wherein q₀, r₀,and s₀ are q, r, or s of the R, and q₀−2, r₀−2; s₀−2, q₀−4, r₀−4; s₀−4,q₀−6, r₀−6; or s₀−6 being integers only more than
 1. 11. The processaccording to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is of Formula (5), andthe microorganism is cultured in a culture medium containing4-phenoxybutyric acid of Formula (14) and an yeast extract, themicroorganism produces poly-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid utilizing4-phenoxybutyric acid.


12. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormula (6), and the culture medium contains 5-phenoxyvaleric acid ofFormula (15) and an yeast extract, and the microorganism producespoly-3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid utilizing 5-phenoxyvaleric acid.


13. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormula (16), the culture medium contains 5-(4-fluorophenoxy)valericacid of Formula (17) and yeast extract, and the microorganism producespoly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenoxy)valeric acid utilizing5-(4-fluorophenoxy)valeric acid.


14. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormula (9), the culture medium contains 5-phenylvaleric acid of Formula(18) and an yeast extract, and the microorganism producespoly-3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid utilizing 5-phenylvaleric acid.


15. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormula (7), the culture medium contains 5-(4-fluorophenyl)valeric acidof Formula (19) and an yeast extract, and the microorganism producespoly-3-hydroxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)valeric acid utilizing5-(4-fluorophenyl)valeric acid.


16. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormula (8), the culture medium contains 4-cyclohexylbutyric acid ofFormula (20) and an yeast extract, and the microorganism producespoly-3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexylbutyric acid utilizing 4-cyclohexylbutyricacid.


17. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormulas (6) and (9), the culture medium contains 5-phenoxyvaleric acidof Formula (15), 5-phenylvaleric acid of Formula (18) and an yeastextract, and the microorganism produces a polyhydroxyalkanoatecomprising 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid and 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvalericacid utilizing 5-phenoxyvaleric acid and 5-phenylvaleric acid.


18. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormulas (10) and (11), the culture medium contains 6-phenylhexanoicacid of Formula (21) and an yeast extract, and the microorganismproduces a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyricacid and 3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoic acid utilizing 6-phenylhexanoicacid.


19. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormulas (6) and (22), the culture medium contains 7-phenoxyheptanoicacid of Formula (23) and an yeast extract, and the microorganismproduces a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvalericacid and 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid utilizing 7-phenoxyheptanoicacid.


20. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormulas (5), (24) and (25), the culture medium contains8-phenoxyoctanoic acid of Formula (26) and an yeast extract, and themicroorganism produces a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising3-hydroxy-4-phenoxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxy-6-phenoxyhexanoic acid and3-hydroxy-8-phenoxyoctanoic acid utilizing 8-phenoxyoctanoic acid.


21. The process according to claim 10 wherein the monomer unit is ofFormulas (6), (22) and (27), the culture medium contains11-phenoxyundecanoic acid of Formula (28) and an yeast extract, themicroorganism produces a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising3-hydroxy-5-phenoxyvaleric acid, 3-hydroxy-7-phenoxyheptanoic acid and3-hydroxy-9-phenoxynonanoic acid utilizing 11-phenoxyundecanoic acid.


22. The process according to claim 9 wherein the step of culturing isone step culture in a culture medium containing an alkanoate and anyeast extract.
 23. The process according to claim 9 wherein the step ofculturing is two step culture in a culture medium containing analkanoate and an yeast extract followed by culturing in anitrogen-restricted culture medium containing the alkanoate.
 24. Theprocess according to claim 9 which further comprises a step ofseparation/refinement of the polyhydroxyalkanoate.
 25. The processaccording to claim 9 wherein the microorganism belongs to a genusPseudomonas.
 26. The process according to claim 25 wherein themicroorganism is at least one selected from the group consisting ofPseudomonas cichorii YN2 (FERM BP-7375); Pseudomonas cichorii H45 (FERMBP-7374); Pseudomonas putida P91 (FERM BP-7373); and Pseudomonasjessenii P161 (FERM BP-7376).